In the Corts Valencianes there was more talk yesterday about 28M than about 25 d’Abril. Because in yesterday’s celebration of the anniversary that commemorates the defeat of the Battle of Almansa in 1707, the most common question was: Who will win? In parallel, there were many farewells, from deputies and deputies, but also from advisers and press officers, who know that they will not continue working in this Valencian institution during the next legislature. In the case of politicians, they will be more than 50% of those who obtained minutes in 2019.
Since 1994, the Valencian Corts commemorate this historical event. It is the only public institution that celebrates it, given that the rest dedicate all their efforts to October 9, the anniversary of the conquest of Jaume I. The truth is that April 25 reverberates little in Valencian society with some dignified exception, such as the demonstration held last Saturday and which is called every year. And there follows a liturgy that is repeated every year, that of claims.
The problem is that time confirms that very little progress has been made in achieving these objectives. The main one is the change in the regional financing model, which yesterday all the political groups except Vox demanded again. Enric Morera came to warn that the “improper historical debt derived from so many years of underfinancing threatens the survival of the Generalitat, the sustainability of essential public services, the rights and freedoms of the people and self-government”. The president of the Corts has also requested that the problems of Valencians “be treated bilaterally and asymmetrically with the State.”
Prominent leaders of the different political forces spoke along the same lines. Ana Barceló called for “fair taxation” in which “who else has the most contribution”, and defended “coexistence” and dialogue” as fundamental. Joan BaldovÃ, candidate for the Generalitat de CompromÃs, called for fair financing that allows ” a stronger self-government”, while also recalling the requirement of Valencian civil law.
Baldovà also announced that if he is president of the Generalitat he will propose a reform of the Statute of Autonomy to include new rights, such as housing; expand powers, and shield public health.
For her part, the deputy spokesperson for Unides Podem, EstefanÃa Blanes, demanded “more self-government, more financing, and infrastructures and investments adjusted to the population.” The trustee of the PP, MarÃa José Catalá, recognized that the day was faced as the “final touch” of a legislature, in which, in her opinion, “too many things have remained pending”, such as regional financing, civil law, water or the reinforcement of self-government institutions.
From Ciudadanos, the trustee, Mamen Peris, also claimed the necessary financing, the Mediterranean Corridor and water for Alicante, and advocated that the Valencian Community be “the European Silicon Valley” and be an autonomy “completely free of corruption”.
