Official visit of the President of the Government
Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to land in the city of Barcelona in a context of intense conversations between the socialists and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) for the investiture of Salvador Illa as the new president of the Generalitat. This meeting is scheduled for noon, when the President will meet with Pere Aragonès, current acting president of the Generalitat.
Official reason for arrival
The stated objective of the trip is to participate in an institutional meeting at the Palau de la Generalitat. This event is related to the formalisation of the agreement on the transfer of the management of the Minimum Vital Income (IMV), which will be signed jointly with Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, and Carles Campuzano, Minister of Social Rights.
Meeting expectations
In contrast to Sánchez’s previous visits to the Palau, on this occasion it will be the minister and the councilor who will communicate the results of the meeting to the press, since it is not expected that both Sánchez and Aragonès will make a joint appearance.
Topics to be discussed at the meeting
The acting spokesperson for the Government, Patrícia Plaja, clarified that in addition to the signing of the IMV, this meeting has to serve to address the current political situation both in Catalonia and in the Spanish State as a whole. She emphasized that although it is not a meeting dedicated to negotiating investitures, there is an interest in discussing previous agreements between both governments.
Requirements of the Republican Left
Plaja also highlighted that he will communicate to Sánchez the need for a special financing system for Catalonia, a crucial issue to advance Illa’s investiture.
Statements from ERC negotiators
Recently, members of ERC, including Marta Rovira and Josep Maria Jové, published an article in a national media where they reiterated that the proposed new financing system must guarantee the fiscal sovereignty of Catalonia. They consider that the Spanish government’s proposal for a consortium between both administrations lacks solid foundations and calls it mere ‘make-up’.
Progress in the negotiation
On the other hand, the joint State-Generalitat Economic and Fiscal Affairs Commission has met in Barcelona, marking a milestone after months of inaction. During this meeting, it was confirmed that the State will transfer 1,058 million euros to the Generalitat in the next three years to compensate for the necessary investments in the Rodalies lines.
Attempt at government rapprochement
From La Moncloa, this gesture has been interpreted as a response to ERC’s demands regarding the need to comply with pending agreements. However, ERC has stated that it cannot continue making unfulfilled commitments to the PSOE, and members of its membership have expressed frustration over the perception that they have given up too much.
Meeting requested by ERC
Marta Rovira, the general secretary of ERC, has requested a meeting with Pedro Sánchez to directly express her party’s expectations and the need for ‘concrete movements’ to move towards an agreement. This meeting could take place during the President’s visit to the city in the coming days.
Challenges of the agreement
The last conversation between Sánchez and Aragonès occurred on December 21, where relevant topics were discussed such as the forgiveness of 20% of the Generalitat’s debt with the State, the transfer of Rodalies and the possibility of a referendum. Although condonation was a key commitment to secure ERC support, this has not yet materialized. Natàlia Mas, Minister of Economy, has indicated that a schedule must be agreed upon to address this issue in the coming months.