ERC's Junqueras Proposes Legislative Reform for Catalonia's Tax Management

Oriol Junqueras, the president of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), has announced plans to introduce a legislative reform proposal aimed at enabling Catalonia to collect and manage its own personal income tax. The proposal is part of a broader ambition for Catalonia to eventually attain control over its entire tax system. This announcement comes just ahead of a crucial meeting between the Government and Generalitat scheduled for Monday, where the specifics of Catalonia's financing will be discussed. In a press conference held on Saturday, Junqueras emphasized that the ERC's support for various government initiatives hinges on the outcomes of the forthcoming meeting. "We cannot be sure of the agreements from both governments until Monday," he stated, articulating his skepticism about the negotiation results. The proposed legislative reform seeks to amend existing laws, specifically laws 8/1980, 22/2009, and 16/2010, which pertain to revenue collection. Junqueras argued that allowing Catalonia to manage its own personal income tax is critical, as it represents the primary tax liability for residents, contributing approximately 25 billion euros annually to the region's economy. He highlighted the significant difference in financial management, noting, "It is not the same for Catalonia to manage 30 billion euros with the inclusion of personal income tax as it is to manage 5 billion now, and he described it as a very important leap." Junqueras warned that the Catalan Tax Agency (ATC) must not remain subordinate to the state's taxation agency and should be empowered to fulfill its role effectively within specified timelines. He indicated that if the notion of ordinality is not addressed in the upcoming discussions, the Socialist Party (PSOE) would be falling short of its commitments. The ERC leader shared that he has been in communication with both Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Generalitat president Salvador Illa regarding the ongoing discussions to untangle the financing issues. He stated, "In politics, courage is needed. The conversations are fluid. What is another matter is the outcome of the conversations which we will see how they materialize next Monday." Junqueras expressed his belief that promises made by the Socialist Party must be fulfilled to avoid being surpassed by other parties, including the opposition PP. He noted the recent acknowledgment from the PP leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, that Catalonia's financing must improve, questioning how the PSOE could lag behind in this regard. In conclusion, Junqueras stressed the importance of political courage and making decisions that benefit society rather than acting out of fear of potential political repercussions. The upcoming meeting is poised to be a decisive moment not just for ERC but for the future of Catalonia's financial autonomy. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2