The political future of Pere Aragonès
Pere Aragonès, the president of the Generalitat de Catalunya and ERC candidate on 12-M, has announced that he will leave politics after the unfavorable electoral results of the Republicans. After the loss of 13 deputies, Aragonès has taken responsibility and decided to leave political life, although Oriol Junqueras, leader of ERC, intended to continue leading the party (https://www.softcatala.org/ summary-of-texts-in-catalan/). At 41, Aragonès has been the youngest president of the Generalitat since the restoration of Catalan autonomy.
The remuneration of the former presidents of the Generalitat
According to the statute of former presidents of the Generalitat, former presidents have the right to receive a public allocation equivalent to 80% of their salary for a minimum of one legislature and a maximum of half of the years they held office (https: //www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). In the case of Aragonès, this means that he will still have a salary of 136,177 euros as former president of the Government. In addition, when he retires, he will be entitled to receive a retirement pension equal to 60% of his salary as chairman.
Other benefits of former presidents
In addition to the remuneration, the former presidents of the Generalitat have other benefits such as their own office, a driver, an official car and three workers at their disposal (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en -Catalan/). They also have a budget of up to 60,000 euros for miscellaneous expenses. However, it should be noted that this salary is incompatible with having a payroll in a private company.
The previous former presidents
Previous former presidents of the Generalitat also have similar benefits. For example, President Montilla joined the board of directors of Enagás with a salary of 175,000 euros. President Pujol resigned his office and the title of Most Honorable after his father’s death (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). President Maragall resigned due to the Alzheimer’s disease he has been suffering from since 2007, but he receives a direct contribution from the Generalitat for his illness. President Mas has a lifetime pension of 92,000 euros and President Puigdemont is still politically active.
The future of Pere Aragonès
With the decision to leave politics, the future of Pere Aragonès is uncertain. After his time as president of the Generalitat, he will have to decide which path he will follow in his professional life. However, his legacy as the youngest president of the Generalitat and his role in Catalan politics will not be forgotten (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
