Catalan PP leader claims Catalonia is not underfunded, sparking fresh debate on regional financing.
In a wide-ranging interview with Ara Cat, the People’s Party’s general secretary in Catalonia, Santi Rodríguez, made the controversial assertion.
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He argued that the region’s high debt stems from Generalitat spending decisions, not a lack of central government funds.
Rodríguez stated that studies not commissioned by the Catalan government show the region is in a balanced financial position. Consequently, he pointed to autonomous community spending on areas like foreign delegations and public broadcaster TV3 as primary drivers of debt. This perspective directly challenges a long-standing claim from Catalan pro-independence parties.
Catalan PP Leader Claims Catalonia Is Not Underfunded
The interview covered several contentious political topics. Rodríguez called for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s resignation amidst ongoing corruption investigations. Furthermore, he criticised the current tripartite government in Catalonia, labelling it a ‘3.0’ coalition dependent on agreements that require action from Madrid.
On the sensitive issue of regional financing, Rodríguez acknowledged the principle of ‘ordinality’. This principle suggests a territory contributing more should not receive less in the final redistribution. However, he maintained that the core objective must be ensuring all regions can fund essential public services adequately.
He identified Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Castilla-La Mancha as genuinely underfunded communities. Meanwhile, he argued that Catalonia’s fiscal position is equitable. The debate over regional funding remains a central and divisive issue in Spanish politics, often influencing broader constitutional discussions.
The conversation also turned to linguistic policy. Rodríguez claimed the Catalan language has become ‘antipathetic’ to young people due to perceived imposition. Therefore, he advocated for policies based on encouragement rather than obligation or sanctions. This stance aligns with the PP’s broader criticism of the current immersion model in schools.
Regarding party leadership, Rodríguez expressed confidence in Alejandro Fernández leading the PP into the next Catalan elections. He also backed Dani Sirera for Barcelona. The interview concluded with remarks on demographic growth, emphasising a desire for new residents committed to work and integration, rather than what he described as exploiting social services.
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