Sánchez's measures in the state of the nation debate, one by one
Spanish government expects to raise €3.5 billion annually with tax on energy and banking companies
MadridPedro Sánchez wanted to use the state of the nation debate in the Spanish Parliament to announce a package of additional measures to those already approved to alleviate the consequences of the war. Some are directed at increasing revenue, while more specifics are still needed on most of the rest.
Special tax on banks
The star measure to collect and finance part of the aid the Spanish government is rolling out is a special tax on banks. It has been especially applauded by the United Podemos bench. It will be an exceptional and temporary tax that will be levied during the years 2022 and 2023 and it is expected to raise around €1.5bn per year.
Tax on energy corporations
There is also an exceptional temporary tax already announced by the Spanish Prime Minister on June 25. On Tuesday, Sánchez explained that the tax on gas, oil and electricity companies will be levied on extraordinary profits obtained during the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. An annual collection of €2bn is expected. In addition, Sánchez announced a €200m plan for self-consumption in public buildings.
Free Renfe multi-journey tickets
The State executive has gone further in its aids to public transport. While two weeks ago the 50% discount on multi-journey tickets for services operated by Renfe was announced, now tickets on commuter and mid-distance trains will be free of charge from September 1 to December 31. The 30% discount for regional and municipal transport passes is maintained.
€100 per month for grant holders over 16 years
In the educational field, Sánchez announced that students over 16 years of age who currently enjoy a scholarship to study, will receive a complementary grant of 100 euros per month. It will take place between September and December of this year and is estimated to benefit one million students.
Programming and robotics skills in schools
In classrooms, digital skills will be developed. Sánchez has announced the creation of Code School 4.0 programme for infants, primary and secondary school students, where they will learn programming and robotics.
Creation of a State Centre for Public Health
In health matters, the Spanish president explained that the health system will be strengthened with the creation of a State Centre for Public Health that will aim to improve the response to health emergencies such as pandemics.
12.000 homes in Madrid, 60% of them public
In Madrid, Sánchez announced the unblocking of the Campamento operation. This involves the construction of 12,000 housing units in the Spanish capital, 60% of which will be public housing and 40% will be put on the free market. The operation gets its name from the fact that the land where the houses will be built was hitherto owned by the Ministry of Defence's Institute of Housing, Infrastructure and Defence Equipment.
Law for the regulation of lobbies and against racial discrimination
Sánchez also made commitments in legislative matters for the remainder of the legislature, although without many specifics. He recalled that a reform of the law on official secrets will be promoted, as promised in response to the Pegasus scandal, although it has not yet been registered in the Spanish parliament. There have been other promises in the field of democratic advances and civil rights: a whistleblower protection law to fight corruption, a comprehensive law against the treatment and exploitation of human beings, a law against racial discrimination and a law to regulate lobbying. In the framework of the legislative agenda, he has also guaranteed approval "soon" of the sustainable mobility law and the creation of a new industry law and the patronage law, which had already been announced.
Investments in the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla
Sánchez also announced an "unprecedented" investment to make the Balearic and Canary Islands fully decarbonised territories, as well as an approval of strategic economic development plans for Ceuta and Melilla, which he has given no details about. Finally, he also assured that there will be a new common agricultural policy and a new regulatory framework for fire prevention and extinction personnel.