Junts Vice President Criticizes New Catalonian Funding Proposal as Uninspiring

Toni Castellà, the vice president of Junts and a deputy in the Catalan Parliament, has expressed disappointment regarding the new funding proposal expected to be announced by the Government during the upcoming bilateral commission meeting. Speaking at a press conference from the Palau de la Generalitat, Castellà emphasized that the proposal fails to introduce a new funding model for Catalonia. The meeting aimed to clarify the new funding structure, which was discussed among various parliamentary groups including PSC, Units, Junts, ERC, and Comuns, but notably excluded CUP, PP, Vox, and AC. Castellà raised significant concerns about the fiscal deficit facing Catalonia, which amounts to 22 billion euros in taxes that the region contributes but does not see returned. "So far, zero. Not a single euro more," Castellà lamented, criticizing the outcome of the agreement as lacking in fiscal recovery for Catalonia. He explained that while there has been an agreement on administrative management whereby the Generalitat will collect personal income tax (IRPF), the state retains control over how much revenue is actually allocated to the region. "We will do the work for the State, and Catalonia will not get any more benefits," he stated. Furthermore, Castellà pointed out that despite the agreement, Catalonia will not be excluded from the Lofca, indicating that the funding model lacks any unique provisions for the region. According to him, the proposed model allows for broader tax collection capabilities without addressing the issue of fiscal sufficiency. He characterized the proposal as devoid of any resemblance to a satisfactory agreement. When questioned about Junts' stance in Congress should the proposal be presented there, Castellà reaffirmed the party's support for a model aligning with the Brussels agreement, which advocates for the complete transfer of tax revenues in a manner akin to the agreements held by Basque and Navarra. He stated, "Anything that perpetuates the current fiscal deficit will not have our support." In conclusion, Castellà's remarks reflect mounting frustrations over Catalonia's fiscal management and the ongoing struggle for fair financial compensation within Spain. With looming uncertainties, the next steps in the negotiation and implementation of this funding proposal remain to be seen. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2