The price of budgets: Commons demands a ban on speculative housing purchases within six months

BarcelonaTo convince ERC, the PSC government knows that must push Madrid to make it possible for the Catalan Tax Agency can collect all taxes, starting with income tax. As of this Thursday, the price of the Comuns' demands is also known: Jéssica Albiach's party is asking the government to increase the housing budget to €1.2 billion (in the previous budget they requested €1 billion) and to double rental assistance, as well as expand school meal scholarship coverage to include 50% of those on waiting lists for specialists in the public healthcare system. But to these priorities, common in most negotiations in recent years, a new one has been added: Comuns is demanding that the PSC government legally prohibit speculative housing purchases in Catalonia within six months. This was approved by the party's executive committee at a meeting this Thursday.

What does banning speculative purchases mean? Comuns has already presented a proposed law that sought to amend the urban planning law So that, in areas with a tight market, only homes for personal use can be purchased, which would effectively exclude businesses from the market. The regulations included some exceptions, such as the possibility of buying a house from a relative or a second home in a different municipality. The measure is being studied by a joint working group of the Catalan Government and the Comuns party, with experts who could publish their conclusions next week. The Comuns are avoiding talking about "red lines," but maintain that this will be a central issue.

The Government and the Comuns plan to meet next week to negotiate the budget, which the Ministry of Economy wants approved in the first quarter. Sources within Albiach's party admit that the crisis with the commuter rail service has led them to consider whether or not it is appropriate to engage with the PSC to discuss this matter. after the "scandal" in the management with Renfe and Adif and, above all, the communicationBut at the same time, they believe that Catalonia should have "at least" a budget this legislative term, and that the 2027 elections will complicate negotiations next year. "Catalonia needs a budget that will make a difference in people's wallets and daily lives. A budget that makes life easier for working families," Albiach asserted. However, she wanted to issue a warning to a government that is "failing" in managing the railway crisis: "Neither airport expansions nor more highways; we need the train service for the majority to work," she said. However, the veto on the expansion will not be part of the negotiations.