The candidate of the PSC in the Catalan elections, Salvador Illa, is always very cautious when it comes to revealing his pact preferences in the event of winning the elections and having the option of governing, but yesterday he gave a hint about the agreements he has in mind, as he assured in an interview with La Xarxa that he prioritizes left-wing parties.
The socialist aspirant usually dismisses the issue of post-electoral pacts by assuring that he is in favor of “broad agreements” and “with all” the parties, except for the extreme right. “Neither Vox, nor Orriols”, he usually says with reference to the leader of Aliança Catalana, who could obtain parliamentary representation.
In addition, he remembers that the agreements with ERC, Junts, the communes and even the PP that he signed during the legislature endorse this position. But for some time now, Illa has been stressing the progressive character of the option he represents, thus rebutting those who place him to the right of the PSOE.
To solve some of the fundamental problems in Catalonia, the candidate believes that “very broad agreements” will be needed, but “to form a government is another matter”, he admits. “There are formations with which I have a greater affinity, which would be the first with which I would sit”, and he admitted that he has “more coincidences” with the left-wing parties.
Illa remarked that Catalonia “needs stability”, a government “of four years, with enough strength” to face reforms in public services that are “very neglected”. His program therefore has a social character, with specific measures to “generate prosperity” but “with equity”.
He also explained this yesterday in a colloquium at the College of Economists of Catalonia, where he presented his country model to a group concerned about issues such as financing, the fiscal deficit, the drought, infrastructures , the reform of the administration, housing, renewable energies, the production model, talent retention or productivity.
The candidate presented his recipes. He set fighting the drought as an imperative priority, but his plan to improve funding generated interest in the organization. Illa opted for a model based on the principle of ordinality, in accordance with the possibilities offered by the current Statute and agreed with the social agents, but warned that this problem will not be simple, nor quick, nor the first of to resolve
At the same time, he promised to help fight tax dumping in Spain, but ruled out lowering taxes for several reasons. The international context, in which more investment in security is required, and the needs in public services, such as healthcare after the pandemic, advise against it. “I want the European model: generate prosperity but with equity. I don’t want an Anglo-Saxon model”, he remarked.
In terms of infrastructure, he opted for the expansion of El Prat airport, to complete the fourth belt and to undertake investments in renewables and suburbs. And in housing, to collaborate with councils.
Finally, Illa advocated for the integration of immigration in the face of “speech of fear”, because “not only does it not put our identity at risk but it enriches it”, he assured.
