Sánchez arrives in Catalonia and promises a new financing system: "It's time."

GavàSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has arrived in Catalonia and hinted at a new financing system, as demanded by the ERC (Republican Left), with whom he signed a pact for the investiture. At the Rose Festival in Gavà, which brought together 15,000 Socialist militants according to the organization, the Spanish Prime Minister emphasized that they are working to achieve a new tax system for Catalonia, but without specifically mentioning a unique model.

"Talking about regional financing is talking about the welfare state, and after eleven years of absolute majorities, some with the PP, it's time we renewed regional financing, and it will be good for Catalonia and the rest of the regions," he emphasized, denying any grievances with the other autonomous communities. In this regard, Sánchez criticized the PP-governed territories for opposing the debt settlement, out of "dogmatism."

The Spanish Prime Minister has made it clear that only with a new financing system will it be possible to develop social policies that are in the "hands of the regional governments" to overcome the new challenges they face. He contrasted this with the model of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's government, which, in his opinion, is not working to reverse social inequalities, but rather to further deepen them. "We have transferred another 45 billion to the Community of Madrid, and that has not meant an improvement in social policies because it has only allocated 45%; the rest has been used to maintain the privileges of the wealthiest," he declared. "We want a new financing system to strengthen the welfare system, and we will do so this term," he announced. Despite understanding the "discontent" of the Catalans, the PP's Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Juan Bravo, lashed out against the unique financing proposal promoted by Catalonia. "Isla invents a new system when Sánchez needs votes," Bravo criticized in an interview with The Vanguard.

In contrast to the PP, Sánchez has also once again championed coexistence to close the period of confrontation between Catalonia and Spain over the Process. "Illa's commitment to coexistence has allowed the Generalitat and other institutions to form a socialist government, and with you, Catalonia has once again believed in its institutions," he said, addressing Illa and surrounded by young people on stage who broke the average age of the event, mostly older people.

Before Sánchez, the president of the Generalitat (Catalan government), Salvador Illa, argued that Pedro Sánchez has allowed the process to move on without explicitly mentioning the pardons or the amnesty law. "The Catalan socialists share the view that the socialist project is good for coexistence, and what has done most to unite Catalonia and Spain is your leadership. Your leadership has brought us coexistence, which is fundamental," stated Illa, who has always boasted about the political normalization since the PSOE leader's arrival in the Moncloa. "Only the PSC can guarantee coexistence in Catalonia," he reiterated at the end of his speech.

The Catalan leader urged a choice between the fear and resentment of the PP and Vox, "which are now one and the same" and which continues to be "held hostage by Aznar," or hope. "Hope or fear to defend a plural and diverse Spain that sees languages as a source of wealth, a Spain that respects identities and recognizes uniqueness," he stated.

Criticism of Aznar and the PP for their stance on Israel

Both leaders have been highly critical of the PP's position on the Palestinian genocide. "We don't expect any lessons from Aznar, only apologies for his lies about the Iraq war with weapons of mass destruction, or the 11-M attacks," exclaimed the Spanish Prime Minister, who stated that "Aznar, Ayuso, and Abascal shape Feijóo's policy." Sánchez, who has positioned himself from day one as one of the European leaders most opposed to the invasion of Gaza, has championed his commitment to peace. "Neither Catalonia nor Spain remain silent; they are committed to Ukraine and Gaza in defense of human rights. We condemn the Hamas attacks, but the right does not condemn the genocide in Gaza," he denounced. "The right will have a guilty conscience because defending Gaza or Ukraine is humanity, it is not left or right," he concluded.

Isla, like the mayor of Barcelona, ​​​​Jaume Collboni, and the mayor of Gavà, Gemma Badia, had previously done, thanked Sánchez for speaking out against the Israeli offensive in Palestine without hesitation. "He is the first voice, the first great European leader, who has opposed Netanyahu's warmongering and who defends the creation of two states in the Middle East," he stressed, concluding that the Israeli government's policy is based on "genocide."