Fatigue of materials and citizens

Catalonia is experiencing a rail and road collapse unbecoming of an advanced economy. When commuter trains stop running, freight traffic to Europe grinds to a halt and the AP-7 motorway is closed; when the AVE high-speed train fails to provide effective and reliable service, the country grinds to a halt and the credibility of the government—which has repeatedly promised investments that never materialize—is seriously damaged. Public outrage at this debacle is more than understandable: no one should be held hostage by a failing public transport system without accountability. Every day of logistical chaos inflicts damage on the productive economy and erodes public trust. Catalan infrastructure has long been operating at its limit, and every serious incident has a direct impact on the credibility of institutions and the economy. The five-day closure of the AP-7—a key artery carrying most of the country's freight traffic—has triggered a chain reaction across the entire road network: paralyzing the AP-7 is tantamount to strangling one of Catalonia's main economic arteries. Similarly, the constant breakdowns on the commuter rail network not only frustrate users but also reduce working hours and productivity across the country. This situation is typical of an underdeveloped environment, not the competitive economic engine that Catalonia aspires to be. Companies face increased logistics costs, and workers are not in control of their time. Inadequate infrastructure acts as a drag on economic growth and the quality of life for citizens.

Without basic consensus

The complaint about the lack of state investment in Catalan infrastructure is longstanding and supported by the data. From 2010 to 2023, only 50.3% of the railway investment budgeted by the state for Catalonia was actually carried out. In other words, of the more than €11 billion promised during this period, over €5.6 billion were never spent. This chronic failure to deliver has persisted under both PSOE and PP governments, highlighting a structural problem that transcends political affiliations. While projects under the jurisdiction of the Generalitat (the Catalan government) are 88% complete (data from the period 2001-2019), those under the state suffer scandalous delays and breaches of contract. The usual excuses about the supposed complexity of each project do not justify this abysmal difference.

If anything is as infuriating as, or even more infuriating than, disinvestment, it's the lack of accountability. Year after year, the pattern repeats itself: millions are announced for projects that never materialize, and no one takes responsibility. The scope of the problem is minimized, and the failures are swept under the rug with figures that are politicized and not acknowledged as facts. This attitude disregards the public and reinforces the sense of being taken for a ride. How can no leader offer clear explanations for the projects that are systematically left undone? Where are the independent audits and oversight mechanisms that would demand immediate corrective action? The lack of tangible consequences fuels the feeling of impunity and chaos in public administration.

One factor contributing to this situation is the lack of technical expertise in decision-making positions. Infrastructure is a complex field that requires specific knowledge in engineering, logistics, and planning; however, many political leaders lack this training. The fact that political leadership is often in the hands of managers without a technical background does not necessarily mean individual incompetence, but it can explain erratic decisions and a lack of long-term vision. Often, planning is subordinated to short-term electoral considerations.

Infrastructure: Foundations of the Economy and Housing

It's not just about trains and roads, but about the foundation of social and economic progress. Functioning infrastructure is essential for economic competitiveness and also for guaranteeing access to housing. In the case of Catalonia, its importance is paramount. Catalonia has gained more than 700,000 inhabitants in the last decade and 2 million in the last 30 years, so the demand for transport has continued to grow. At the same time, the housing crisis has forced many families and workers to live outside Barcelona. Commuting becomes an ordeal that limits real access to affordable housing. It should be added that the recent economic boom—with more jobs and less unemployment—also increases mobility: more people working means more daily commutes to be accommodated.

Political unease

The current public outrage that fueled the independence movement a decade ago cannot be allowed to fester. The perception of discriminatory treatment had been brewing for some time and was part of the fuel that ignited the pro-independence movement. When a society feels humiliated and ignored in its basic needs, the accumulated resentment eventually finds an outlet. Today, with the pro-independence movement at a standstill and in a phase of negotiation, the danger is that frustration will spill over into other, less desirable channels. If the governments—both Catalan and Spanish—do not provide an effective response to the strangulation of infrastructure, collective indignation will seek new platforms. And these will be populist or extremist groups. The discrediting of traditional politics is the perfect breeding ground for radical options to grow. This is how legitimate economic discontent can become fuel for movements that jeopardize coexistence and democratic consensus.