Baldoví asks for a leveling fund as long as there is no new system and recalls that the current one has expired for eight years, twice as much as the CGPJ
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, highlighted this Wednesday that the General State Budget (PGE) project for 2023 includes “record” figures for the autonomous communities and has blamed the PP for the fact that the regional financing system continues without being renewed.
This is how Sánchez responded in the plenary session of Congress to the Compromís deputy, Joan Baldoví, who has demanded the implementation of a leveling fund to compensate underfunded communities until the current system is reformed.
The head of the Executive has avoided that specific proposal and has preferred to charge the PP for its “negative opposition” and take advantage of the figures to finance communities and municipalities provided for in the public accounts approved on Tuesday by the Council of Ministers.
Thus, he has detailed that the project contemplates that the communities receive 135,274 million from the financing system, 24% more than this year, and that it foresees 124,293 million for payments on account and 10,981 million in liquidation for the 2021 financial year. that the municipalities will receive 5% more, in total 23,235 million.
These figures, according to Sánchez, demonstrate the “total and absolute commitment of the Government” with local and regional entities. “The Government – he explained – is pragmatic and, aware that the powers of the communities are a fundamental pillar for the Welfare State, increases its resources”.
He then contrasted that attitude with that of the first opposition party, which he has blamed for not complying with the Constitution with its refusal to renew the General Council of the Judiciary and that it does not agree to review the also expired system of regional financing.
“Two people don’t dance if one doesn’t want to and we have a denialist opposition that doesn’t lend a hand”, complained the Prime Minister, assuming that “you can’t ask for pears from the elm tree”.
The first to draw a parallel between the situation experienced by the CGPJ and the regional financing system was Baldoví. In his question to Sánchez, he has complained that the interim of the governing body of the judges, which has lasted almost four years, produces “scandal” but that of the financing system, which already adds up to eight, is not so scandalous.
The Compromís deputy has recognized the “efforts” of the central Executive but has asked Sánchez to make one more and approve a transitory leveling fund for the communities that receive less funds than the average: Andalusia, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha and the Valencian Community.
IT WOULD BE A “NIMIUM” EXPENSE
As he recalled, this year 3,000 million have already been enabled for the negative liquidations of 12 communities – among which the Valencian Community was not – and the fund advocated by Compromís would only account for 2,000 million, 0.7% of total social spending .
It would be, Baldoví has ??emphasized, “a trifle” that would serve to equalize the communities without lowering their annual funding and to give regional governments “calm” when facing their social expenses.
“This Government and the Valencian Government are trying to build small, decent, ethical and moral paradises on earth, in which everyone has the same opportunities, but resources are needed to maintain them,” summarized the Valencian deputy, emphasizing that the Welfare State is not pay with tax cuts.
