The PNB expresses concern about the Spanish government’s relations with the autonomous communities
Relations between the Spanish government and the autonomous communities have been the subject of concern on the part of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNB). During the control session at the Congress of Deputies, Aitor Esteban, representative of the PNB, reproached Pedro Sánchez that the Moncloa is rewarding a model of multilateral sectoral conferences to the detriment of the bilaterality that had been agreed upon in the investiture agreement. The PNB is concerned about the decree that the Spanish government is working on to establish new criteria for the operation of sectoral conferences, as it considers that this could lead the State towards recentralization.
Pedro Sánchez’s answer
In response to the concerns expressed by the PNB, Pedro Sánchez has affirmed that the reform of the sectoral conference model is not detrimental to bilateralism. He highlighted the importance of continuing to advance in respect for self-government and shared decisions between the General Administration of the State and the autonomous communities. Sánchez has argued that the defense of self-government and bilateralism is not at odds with the functioning of sectoral conferences, and has given the example of multilateral collaboration during the pandemic.
The commitment of Pedro Sánchez
Pedro Sánchez has reaffirmed his commitment to continue to advance in respect for self-government and shared decisions with the autonomous communities. He highlighted the importance of strengthening some areas of decision-making and multilateral collaboration that have been decisive for defending lives and for having the current economic situation. Sánchez has stressed that it is necessary to reach an agreement and has shown his willingness to dialogue with the PNB and other political forces to find consensual solutions.