This Monday, the Minister of Finance of Castile-La Mancha sharply criticized the financial policies of the government of the Autonomous Communities. In particular, socialist Ruiz Molina, condemns the “bilateral negotiations” that the executive has proposed to the Catalan community. This criticism, in turn, is added to the criticism of the remaining regions governed by the PP, which do not have the same privileges that Catalonia would have compared to the rest of the autonomies.

“We are going to ask the government to clarify or refute independent claims that a unique model is being negotiated for Catalonia. In Castile-La Mancha we are categorically against any bilateral negotiations. Most of us eat the menu of the dayand some want to eat a la carte,” he noted.

He expressed “disappointment” that the meeting would only discuss one issue that “affects the finances of the autonomous communities,” such as fiscal stability goals.

In this regard, he indicates that he would like to see more issues presented, “especially those discussed in the media regarding the finances of the autonomous communities.”

However, the Minister of Finance and fourth vice-president of the government, Maria Jesús Montero, assured during a meeting of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council (CPFF) with regional governments, with the exception of the government of Pere Aragones, that the executive director of Pedro Sánchez is not negotiating regional financing on a bilateral basis. basis with Catalonia.

This was announced by the finance ministers of Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha in statements to journalists following the meeting of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council this Monday, which lasted more than four hours.

In particular, the Minister of Finance of Madrid, Rocío Albert López-Ibor, explained that several communities asked her to provide explanations regarding these bilateral negotiations, and the minister wanted it to be recorded in the protocol, “that there is no bilateral negotiations with Catalonia”.

15% more funding

The Ministry of Finance has set the deficit target for the autonomous communities in 2024 at 0.1% of GDP, and next year the regions will receive the largest resources from the financing system in their history – 154.467 million euros, an increase of 14.9% compared to 2023. .

This was announced this Monday by the Fourth Vice President and Minister of Finance and Public Functions, Maria Jesús Montero, at a meeting of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council (CPFF).

This 0.1% deficit target is one-tenth larger than that set in the April stability program sent to the European Commission, but it is the same percentage as in the 2024 budget plan sent to Brussels in October.

In addition, the Ministry of Finance informed the autonomous communities that in 2024 they will receive the largest resources from the financing system in their history – 154.467 million euros. This is an increase of 14.9% compared to 2023, meaning they will receive almost 20 billion euros more than last year to strengthen their public policies.