The Valencian Community will ask the Government for a total of 7,127 million euros during the legislature, at an average annual rate of 1,782 million euros until a new regional financing system is established. The figures come from the report presented this morning by the commission of experts to the Consell-Corts joint commission – after updating the data that the technicians have done at the request of the Consell – and which leaves another relevant figure to take into account: the condonation The debt would amount to 43,278 million euros, as it is the figure that represents 78% of the current debt of the Valencian Community.
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Ruth Merino, has assured that she leaves the meeting “happy” because she has observed “harmony” between the political groups. “We fully agree with the experts on the need to reform the system, which is unfair and must be changed as soon as possible,” she declared. Merino assures that from now on the Consell will think about the next steps to take in its demand before the Government of Spain, “given the ineffectiveness of Minister Montero.” She does not rule out that a letter to the attention of the head of the Treasury may be the first gesture.
After Merino’s statements, those responsible for the political groups have evaluated the meeting. Vox has done it with nuances, which governs in coalition and whose deputy Teresa Ramírez has assured that they are “cautious” because they do not know the report in depth having received it this morning, without applying for the leveling fund. Ramírez has declared that “the model was born flawed and has created a model with first-class and second-class citizens”, so his party will defend a mechanism that “treats everyone equally. We must hit the table and we must change the model.”
For their part, both PSPV, Compromís and PP have been in favor of the equalization fund. Joan Baldoví (Compromís) recalled that his party already requested the fund in 2020 and has asked that an agreement emerge from the Valencian Courts, led by Councilor Merino, to be taken to Madrid, where a vote will also be held. Regarding his support for the State accounts, he has assured that “we will demand that what was signed in the investiture agreement be in the budgets.”
The socialist Toni Gaspar has assured that the PSPV will say yes to all that transitional measure to improve the situation and has recalled that it is the first time that “a window of opportunity has opened to request debt forgiveness.” That is why he asks the Consell for “courage” and confirms that the Valencian socialists will ask the minister for the fund, despite the reluctance already shown by María Jesús Montero. “It is a matter of State,” he added.
