The countdown to the investiture agreement begins
With only a few days before the end of the maximum period set by ERC to establish an investment agreement with the PSC, the feelings among the republicans are that the understanding still seems distant. Sources close to the negotiations comment that the final details are not currently being worked out and that the process is not in its final phase. ERC continues to hold daily meetings with the PSC team under the direction of Salvador Illa, while an important rule to take into account is that from August 1 to 15, the convening of the investiture plenary depends on the permanent deputation and not from the president of the Parliament, Josep Rull.
Socialist perspectives and news on funding
On the other hand, the representatives of the PSC assure that they are in a good moment in the negotiations. Illa has shown himself ready to seek an agreement that is beneficial for Catalan citizens. Unlike the ERC, the PSC has until August 25 to present its investiture proposal. One of the central issues being discussed is the ‘single financing’, addressed at a recent lunch between the Catalan president and the Spanish president, which according to PSC sources, was key to updating the parties on the status of the conversations
Clear demands of ERC in the negotiation
ERC members have expressed that the PSC has not made enough progress on the issue of singular funding. Republicans should not be satisfied with a simple ‘statement of intent’ and demand a solid and concrete system that achieves a model similar to the economic concert with additional guarantees. This implies having a calendar and a list of legal reforms that make the expected change in the financing system viable.
Failures and expectations
ERC rejects any agreement that only involves an increase in revenue to the Generalitat without a system that allows funding to be controlled. ‘It is not enough to have more resources, but without more power to manage them’, they state in a forceful tone, stressing the need to have control over income.
The call for investiture in sight
The PSC insists on playing the ‘generosity’ card in the negotiation process. They are aware that the new financing system is fundamental, both because the Spanish executive depends on the votes of ERC and Junts, who have made it clear that the lack of fiscal sovereignty will mean a blockage for the budgets. However, the PSC recalls that they have reached recent agreements that are in the development phase, such as the Pact on Neighborhoods.
Illa makes decisions wisely
Illa is not entirely sure if he will appear for an investiture session without a prior agreement. In fact, if he decides to do so in the period between August 1 and 15, the situation becomes more complicated, since only the permanent deputation can call the plenary session, thus facilitating his opportunity. In such a case, if he succeeds in convening the plenary session, Rull would regain his powers as president of the Parliament, with the ability to decide whether to postpone the debate depending on the circumstances.
The importance of guarantees
From ERC it is emphasized that it is essential to ensure guarantees and controls for any agreement presented to the militancy. Restlessness persists within the negotiating team, knowing that militancy expects a significant and concrete change. The management of ERC warns that if the agreement does not offer sufficient guarantees to be approved, it will not be put to a vote, completely rejecting the possibility of an investiture.
