Having to create a consortium to monitor state investment in Catalonia

The morning began with an announcement that was already expected: the Government and Comuns have agreed to approve the 2026 budget.

I say it was expected because yesterday they had already agreed on rental assistance and an annual voucher for menstrual products and condoms. But the agreement that triggered the signing of the pact is the approval in the Catalan Parliament of a bill that will specify the limitations for "large property owners" (those with 5 or more properties) on the acquisition of homes in "areas of tight residential market," which in Catalonia comprises 271 municipalities where more than 90% of the population lives. Pending the fine print, the agreement hasn't gone as far as the Comuns party would have liked because the government didn't want it to face legal challenges if it limited the right to private property. Besides, if people couldn't buy an apartment to live in, there would ultimately be no rental housing available. Note that three days after returning to work, President Isla will have already signed two housing agreements, one with the Catholic Church and another with Comuns. Housing is THE problem (which is closely linked to mobility) and Isla (who has already announced the construction of thousands of apartments) wants to be on top of it.

It's becoming increasingly likely that there will finally be a budget this year. The Ministry of Transport has given the green light to the creation of the consortium demanded by ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia) to ensure the execution of state investments in Catalonia. That said, don't tell me it isn't lamentable that a consortium with the state has to be created just so the state can't deceive you. In other words, that another bureaucratic body is needed to ensure compliance with the law. Because the budget is the law. We've reached the point of absurdity. But, as I was saying, it seems clear that there will "finally" be a budget for 2026 (we're currently operating with the 2023 budget, which has been extended), because it would be shamefully irresponsible for the Catalan government, ERC, and Comuns—the parties that invested in the island—to now turn a blind eye to the current needs.

More top news. Rufián presented his idea of ​​uniting left-wing candidates to the left of the PSOE for the upcoming Spanish elections: "What's the point of 14 left-wing parties representing the same thing running in the same place? I know that's anti-establishment, but I believe—and I don't mean to sound messianic—that it's science, method, and order."

It's true that in most provinces, especially the less populated ones, only the very large parties can aspire to win seats. The question is whether Rufián's 14 left-wing parties represent the same thing. Consider the case of Catalonia: wouldn't the Comuns and the CUP run in Catalonia and instead join that single list led by Rufián? Besides, as Manel Ferreres observes today, Esquerra is pro-independence, and for certain left-wing groups, this is incompatible with the universal brotherhood of the working class, because they are "citizens of the world," and you are not.

And finally, that man, José Ángel González, 66 years old, until yesterday deputy director of the National Police, the highest uniformed position in the force, a trusted man of Marlaska, has implicated everyone with his alleged assault on a female officer.

The People's Party (PP) is demanding Marlaska's resignation, to which he responded: "If the victim believes I have failed her, I will resign." An investigation is now underway to determine how many people knew about the abuse and who covered it up for the police chief. Details of the case are emerging, such as why a woman who had already been abused agreed to one last meeting with her attacker: to gather evidence. The feminization of uniformed forces is essential, and the Spanish police are lagging far behind. Women make up 25% of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) and 18% of the National Police.

Good morning.