Crisis in Burgos: Vox Votes Down Budget, Breaking Coalition with PP
In a significant political maneuver, the far-right party Vox has voted against the Burgos City Council's proposed budget for 2025, resulting in a definitive rupture with the ruling Popular Party (PP). The budget, which was set at 250 million euros—a 6 percent increase from the previous year—failed to pass after Vox councilors refused to support it. The fallout from this decision highlights the fragility of the governing agreement established between these two parties.
The plenary session that took place this past Friday saw the proposed budget thrown into disarray after Vox's leadership rejected the revised terms set by the PP. This disagreement stemmed from the PP's choice to include three non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—Accem, Atalaya Intercultural, and Burgos Acoge—that work with immigrants in the budget after Vox had previously insisted these entities be omitted as a condition for their support.
Cristina Ayala, mayor of Burgos, explained that after discussions earlier in the week, the PP chose to reverse its decision and include aid for the NGOs, a move that was seen as a betrayal by Vox. Consequently, Vox attempted to amend the budget to restrict funding to NGOs assisting only legal immigrants, a proposal that was subsequently rejected by the PP.
Vox's spokesperson and deputy mayor, Fernando Martínez-Acítores, expressed disappointment, stating that the PP was at fault for the breakdown of the coalition by refusing to adhere to the guidelines proposed by Vox. He conveyed feelings of betrayal and urged the PP not to sever ties, insisting that a mere addendum could rectify the issues at hand.
However, Ángel Manzanedo, the finance councilor, countered by saying that the real damage would arise from Vox's refusal to support a budget that represents the largest financial outline in Burgos history, crafted without increasing taxes on the city's residents. He emphasized rational financial management and increased allocations in crucial areas such as public security—up 145 percent—and urban planning—up 135 percent.
The opposition leader from the Socialist Party (PSOE), Daniel de la Rosa, criticized the PP for their handling of the budget and the ongoing tensions with Vox. He urged a reconciliation and proposed that the PSOE abstain from voting on the budget if the PP was amenable to his party's amendments. De la Rosa accused Mayor Ayala of instigating the most severe governmental crisis in over two decades because of her approach to social policies.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the Vox spokesperson challenged de la Rosa’s claims, suggesting that the PSOE’s stance was insincere and dismissive of Burgos’s needs. The governing team’s spokesperson, Andrea Ballesteros, defended the actions taken by her party, claiming that the PP had not altered its commitments made to Vox since they entered the coalition.
The current crisis can be traced back to two weeks ago when the PP initially announced cuts to the budget for the three NGOs. This controversial decision led to outcry from the community and prompted the PP to reverse course on aiding the organizations, a movement that Vox resisted vehemently, further complicating the situation. The decision by Cáritas to withdraw its aid in 2025 unless the three NGOs were reinstated brought additional pressure on the PP to reconsider.
As events unfolded, the tensions between these once-allied parties climaxed with the declaration from Vox that the coalition with the PP was officially over, citing betrayal and mismanagement of the budget as the key reasons behind their departure. The outcome of this political strife raises questions about the future governance of Burgos and the effectiveness of coalitions within the region, as the political landscape shifts toward uncertainty.
Related Sources: