The Uncertain Future of Basic Income in Catalonia
The Pilot Plan for the Universal Basic Income (RBU) in Catalonia, an initiative born from the CUP and adopted by ERC, seems to be at the limit of its viability. Although it was part of the PSC’s investiture agreement with the Republicans, the Government has recently decided to stop its development.
Reorganization and Strategic Adjustments
The new socialist administration has transferred responsibility for the project to the Social Rights portfolio, abandoning its direct supervision from the Presidency. In addition, the replacement of the director of the Office of the Pilot Plan, David Raventós, has been a clear signal that the project is in a phase of re-evaluation. Raventós, with an annual salary of 80,000 euros, has left his position to Guillem Vidal, who must lead a review process that many consider a preamble to the definitive cancellation.
Difficulties in Implementation
The Pilot Plan aimed to provide a monthly subsidy of 800 euros for adults and 300 for minors, benefiting some 5,000 people for two years, regardless of their income. However, the lack of parliamentary support has been an insurmountable obstacle, with the PSC, Junts, PP and Vox positioning themselves firmly against it. The absence of sufficient resources to integrate the initiative into the budgets has been a painful reality, with an estimated cost of 40 million euros.
The Fall of the Progressive Left
The cancellation of the Pilot Plan not only represents a more rational management of public resources, but also reflects the deterioration of the progressive left in Catalonia. This group, which has dominated the political agenda for the past decade, is now in a vulnerable position.
A Changing Political Context
The entry of the CUP into Parliament caused a change of direction in the strategies of ERC and Junts, which began to adopt more radical positions to avoid being labeled as ‘convergents’. This competition to prove themselves more progressive led the parties to defend controversial policies, including managing the reception of migrants and supporting controversial laws such as the Trans Act.
A Desolate Panorama for the Woke Left
The elections of last May 12 showed a significant loss of support for the forces of what has been called ‘Catalan wokism’, with a reduction of 20 deputies. Currently, Parliament has only 30 like-minded deputies, in contrast to the 82 they previously had. This means that, despite a progressive majority, the Universal Basic Income project has 105 MPs against it.
A Warning for the Future
The current situation of the Pilot Plan is an indicator of the possible difficulties that the Government may face in this legislature. If the PSC maintains its stance of avoiding involvement in these policies, what appeared to be a period of dominance by the progressive left may be coming to an end.
