Beyond investments, it is necessary to improve management and maintenance

What has happened in recent weeks in Catalonia with the collapse of the commuter rail system, which we recall that It's still running at half speed with many sections The measures that must be implemented with buses and a radical reduction in speed are perhaps the most serious impact on citizens, but not the only one. The case of the A-2, The emergency repairs between Cervera and La Panadella, which weren't completed until yesterday, are yet another example of how the lack of maintenance is affecting mobility, the lives of citizens, and the economy of many businesses. And, in this latest case, it's clear that much of the problem stems from negligence—a lack of professionalism and drive on the part of the political and administrative authorities who haven't lived up to the demands of the country. The mayors of the affected towns have been demanding improvements to this section of highway for some time now. They feel abandoned and lament that it took dozens of cars getting flat tires due to the poor condition of the asphalt for any temporary repairs to be carried out and for the improvement works to progress.

Certainly, and this must never cease to be denounced, the chronic lack of investment in Catalonia by the central government has led to a crisis that is impoverishing the country and affecting the quality of life of millions of people. Both the People's Party and the Socialist Party (PSOE) are responsible, the two political parties that have led the governments that have deliberately strangled Catalonia and denied these investments. They have all talked a big game about millions of euros that have never materialized or have been implemented only partially and with a sluggishness far removed from the speed with which other Spanish regions have acted. They have no excuse, and until they fix this, they can do nothing but apologize and take responsibility.

The problem has deep roots, and it is precisely because of this abandonment by the main national parties and the historical mistreatment Catalonia has suffered that the independence movement and the demand for independence emerged with such force. Now, citizens have lost faith in grassroots mobilization, but the problem not only persists, it is worsening. And it is the country's main economic entities—from Fomento and Pimec in the Chamber of Commerce to the Círculo de Economía—that, genuinely worried and alarmed, are raising their voices, demanding a real infrastructure stimulus plan to accelerate investment. The Catalan economy as a whole is functioning; businesses feel comfortable, and investments are being attracted. In fact, this past year many company headquarters that had left returned, and more business was generated than in Madrid.

However, beyond investment, management has also failed. The administrative structure designed to ensure the maintenance and smooth operation of what we already have is not functioning as it should, and at this point, it is necessary to review bureaucratic protocols and internal and parliamentary political controls. Large-scale projects generate headlines, but it is the day-to-day realities that people experience and that need improvement to ensure the country functions efficiently and sustainably.