Vaquero afirma que Pilar Alegría no defiende los intereses de Aragón en financiamiento regional

The spokesperson for the government of Aragon, Mar Vaquero, stated on Wednesday that the Secretary General of the autonomous PSOE, Pilar Alegría, «is not willing to defend the interests of the Aragonese» in regional financing matters.

Sumar received support from the PP and ERC to pass an initiative in the plenary session of the Congress of Deputies, proposing the creation of 87 million euros for Aragon to «decrease income» through the adjusted population calculation in the regional financing system. The PSOE voted against this.

During a press conference, the Vice President of the Government and Minister of Presidency, Economy, and Justice emphasized the importance of «defending the correct financing» and supporting Aragon to have the necessary funds to ensure public services, health services, and social services. This led to the proposal for the creation of a compensation fund for the 87 million euro shortfall in 2023.

Vaquero acknowledged that the Ministry of Finance is unlikely to listen to this parliamentary initiative and expressed concerns about the lack of support from the PSOE in Congress. He noted that even some deputies from Aragon voted against the proposal, despite previous support from the PSOE in Aragon. This change in stance is attributed to Pilar Alegría taking over the leadership of the PSOE in Aragon.

The government of Aragon is determined not to allow the interests of the Aragonese people to be compromised and is committed to securing adequate funding for public services. Despite challenges in the past, the government remains steadfast in advocating for fair financing criteria to address the issue of depopulation.

In the upcoming meeting of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council on February 26, the autonomous government will defend the positions gathered from all political parties, emphasizing the consensus reached in Aragon regarding the reform of the financing system. Aragon will also push for the contributions outlined in documents approved by the Aragonese courts in 2021 and 2022.

Regarding Vox’s stance on the 2024 autonomous budgets, Vaquero highlighted the extension of discussions and the commitment of all departments to the budget. He expressed surprise at Vox’s opposition to a budget that prioritizes public services and family support, especially considering their participation in the government.

The government of Aragon remains resolute in its efforts to ensure fair financing and address the challenges posed by depopulation, seeking consensus among all political formations. Despite obstacles, the government will continue to advocate for the consideration of Aragon’s unique characteristics in financing discussions at the national level.

FUENTE