Salvador Illa secures first budgets with ERC and Comuns, ensuring legislative stability

The Catalan Parliament approved the first budgets of Salvador Illa's government on Thursday, with 69 votes in favor from the PSC, ERC, and Comuns, and 66 against from Junts, PP, Vox, CUP, and Aliança Catalana Source: lavanguardia. The budgets, totaling €49,162 million, are the first since 2023 and provide stability for Illa to complete the legislature Source: abces.

The path to approval

After a failed attempt in March, Illa's government reached a agreement with ERC and Comuns in May. Concessions include a new orbital railway line, reinforcement of the Catalan Tax Agency (ATC), and majority control for the Generalitat and Barcelona City Council in the Zona Franca Consortium Source: lavanguardia. The Comuns secured measures to limit speculative housing purchases Source: elmundoes.

Political reactions

Opposition parties criticized the budgets as a tool for Illa to remain in power. The PP's Juan Fernández said the budgets are not what Catalonia needs but what Illa requires to stay Source: elmundoes. Junts accused Illa of governing with 'arrogance' despite lacking an absolute majority Source: elmundoes. ERC's Ester Capella stated, 'They have the tools and resources now. There are no more excuses to postpone decisions or not implement agreements' Source: lavanguardia.

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