The share that the PSC had until now is halved in the new progressive coalition Executive. From two ministers (Miquel Iceta, in Culture and Sport, and Raquel Sánchez, in Transport) there is now one (Jordi Hereu). But in the Catalan party there are those who subscribe to the idea that “the PSC is not being punished, they are being protected”, and that, in any case, the scope of the portfolio they control and the representation in the sub-government are also important. that “it will remain”, they assure.
The PSC refutes the loss of powers and influence in the new Spanish Cabinet for two reasons: first, because the harmony between Sánchez and Illa, forged during the management of the pandemic, “offers guarantees” and, second, because of the importance for Catalonia of Ministry of Industry.
“The PSC does not lose weight in this Executive, but neither does it annoy us,” said spokesperson Elia Tortolero yesterday, who recalled the party’s tradition in Indústria, with ministers like Joan Majó (1985-1986), José Montilla (2004 -2008) or Joan Clos (2006-2008), when the relationship with the PSOE was also close. In any case, “we don’t care about the people, but about the project and the policies”, remarked the spokeswoman.
With Industry, the PSC will have control of the ministry through which all the demands and relations of Catalan companies with the central government go, including the management of European funds. In addition, the Catalan Socialists maintain control of several weight companies (such as Aena, Indra or Renfe), and the formation of Illa dona of course means that he will retain weight in the second echelon of the Spanish Government, with Secretaries of State such as VÃctor Francos, who will continue in Sport. Currently they also have Paco Boya (Demographic Challenge), Raül Blanco (formerly Secretary of State for Infrastructure and now president of Renfe) or Francesc Vallès (Communication), who will also continue in the position.
They also assume that they will maintain control of the company Hispasat, which is leaving Hereu, and do not close the door to some other “surprise” subject to “what Illa has been able to agree with the president”. Therefore, there are those who remember that it is still not ruled out that the first vice-president and minister of the economy, Nadia Calviño, chooses to preside over the European Investment Bank, which would leave a portfolio vacant.
In addition, losing the Ministry of Transport is, for the PSC, getting rid of “a problem”. The portfolio, now controlled by Oscar Puente, will be talked about after the agreement for the transfer of Rodalies, but ERC will not be able to impute responsibility only to Illa if things go awry.
On the other hand, Hereu, who is a member of the PSC but is not part of the executive, is a bet by Illa, who agrees with the PSOE regarding the analysis that the new legislature “must not swing over Catalonia”. as much as the PSC has been the electoral bulwark that has allowed Sánchez to continue in Moncloa. The Spanish president will try to make Catalonia as little present as possible in the public debate, as he already did in the speech at the beginning of the investiture debate.
Socialist sources assure that it has not been easy for Illa to convince Hereu to change the post to Hispasat by the Ministry of Industry. In fact, the ex-mayor was ruled out to lead the candidacy for Barcelona mayor when Jaume Collboni’s was raising doubts. But the election has a lot to do with the importance of the economy in Illa’s speech with a view to the next electoral battle that will take place in Catalonia and, also, in the management of Barcelona City Council.
The situation in Collboni is precarious and it has not yet been decided whether to make an alliance with the left (with commons and ERC) or with the right (with Junts). He is in a hurry to choose, but the mayor will be able to count on Hereu for the task of economic promotion that aims to “return the shine” to the city after the years of Ada Colau.
Illa will also use this help. Obstinate to “talk about food” again after the processist decade, this is what he is trying to do in the Parliament of Catalonia, and he is willing to agree the budgets with the ERC Government. The leader of the opposition has introduced concrete demands on infrastructure to the Catalan agenda and has portrayed successive pro-independence governments for lost opportunities.
The PSC begins to place the pieces for the battle for the presidency of the Generalitat.
