Necessary debate on financing between autonomous regions

The threat of a walkout by the PP-led regional governments at the Conference of Presidents being held this Friday in Barcelona over the government's refusal to include the proposals presented by those eleven communities among the topics for debate has had an effect.

Spokesperson Pilar Alegría announced yesterday at the end of the Council of Ministers meeting that all the issues requested by regional leaders will be included on the summit's agenda: among others, the reform of regional financing, policies against illegal housing occupation, measures to prevent a repeat of a general power outage like the one on April 28, investments to resolve the railway chaos of recent months, and the shortage of healthcare professionals that prevents all available positions from being filled.

It made little sense to convene the leaders of the autonomous communities for an annual meeting that would address only a few of the issues affecting them, such as the housing crisis or vocational training. Especially considering that it will be held in Barcelona and that before the end of the month, as established in the agreement between the PSC and ERC for the investiture of Salvador Illa, the Ministry of Finance must present its proposal for specific financing for the Generalitat of Catalonia.

What better opportunity to share the views of all parties affected by this decisive change in the territorial financing system than a meeting with all the presidents of the autonomous regions under the common regime. This government's rectification is therefore welcome.