The coastal governance dispute in Galicia centers on the central government’s authority over shoreline concessions and planning. Madrid has resisted transferring these powers as a preliminary measure, arguing that a reform of the Statute of Autonomy is needed to secure legal protection. Yet the regional leadership contends that altering the legal framework is unnecessary. With Madrid silent on Galician requests, the Xunta Council moved to take control of coastal management by drafting a special law aimed at achieving this objective. The stance is challenging for the national government, though Galician president Alfonso Rueda has urged dialogue with Moncloa rather than pursuing a legal clash, aiming for an agreement through discussion.
Taking charge of coastal management matters because, if the proposed law passes, the Xunta would gain authority to authorize, expand, and influence concessions that the central government now handles. This would extend to planning as well as activities and facilities on the shore. The move sits against a backdrop of Galicia’s interpretation of the Coasts Act and the revised general regulations, which have tightened allowances for unusual expansions by shipping interests and restricted modifications to uses of abandoned coastal structures, thereby complicating salvage and rehabilitation efforts.
The best chance for the announced regional law to assume coastal planning and management lies in the marine industry embracing Xunta’s plan as a fair initiative and opposing the perceived negative effects of Coastal Law. In Galicia, the move has seen overlapping positions from the BNG and PSdeG, amid concerns about possible negative impacts on maritime activity.
recommendation opinion
What grounds does the Galician administration cite to justify starting this challenge and claiming coastal planning powers through its own law? Rueda noted that both the Xunta’s Legal Adviser and the Advisory Council have argued that the Statute of Autonomy, as drafted in a special opinion, already confers this management capacity without needing a reform, countering Moncloa’s position. That opinion is held by the central government, as conveyed by Rueda to Pedro Sánchez during a July meeting, but there has been no response to the devolution request. Now, another route is being explored—a law issued as a reaction to the silence, according to Rueda.
A public consultation window of one month will be opened, inviting citizens to provide input as required. A first draft will subsequently be prepared and presented to the Council for approval after listening to affected sectors, and finally to Parliament. It can be appealed only after chamber approval. The Xunta seeks dialogue with the Government to avoid legal disputes while pressing forward.
Galicia’s proposed law aims to address “strategic projects” within a framework of legal uncertainty, incorporating economic, environmental, and social considerations. It would define the coastline, establish the jurisdictional boundaries of Galicia, and set criteria for new onshore concessions. It would streamline administrative procedures for onshore permits and determine suitable uses for different coastal zones.
“No one knows Galicia better”
The regulation, as explained by Rueda, seeks to provide legal certainty to facility owners already present or planning to settle in the maritime-terrestrial public domain. It aims to delineate which activities and uses each coastal area can accommodate, with planning aligned to each zone’s distinctive characteristics.
Rueda asserted that it is unacceptable to claim there is no right to offer input to improve the coastline. He warned against transferring these powers to other autonomous communities, underscoring Galicia’s firsthand knowledge of its coastline.
Approximately 35 million to create 3,400 nursery places for municipalities
In Parliament on Wednesday, the president floated the idea that Xunta would subsidize the creation of 3,400 municipal nursery places. The Council approved the subsidy scheme, allocating 34.8 million euros from the EU budget to be disbursed by September 15, 2024, with retroactive eligibility for centers created since January of the previous year. Regional funds will support both new centers and renovations.
Rueda explained that subsidies per place created in the previous year will be 9,200 euros, with 2023 subsidies at 10,000 euros and 2024 subsidies at 6,100 euros. The Council also approved the second edition of the Bono Activa Comercio, a program with a 5 million euro investment and an anticipated mobilization exceeding 17 million euros.
Rueda warned that failing to nominate a single candidate would weaken Galicia significantly, and he highlighted discussions about hosting the Spanish Artificial Intelligence Supervision Agency in one Galician municipality, calling for broad consensus on nominations.
Recently, the Galician marine industry, after extensive talks with parliamentary groups to mitigate the Coastal Act’s perceived harms, viewed Xunta’s proposed changes as a necessary correction to a challenging situation.
The head of the Galician Confederation of Employers, John Vieites, emphasized the industry’s support for the plan amid meetings with lawmakers, reflecting broad backing from major political groups, including PP, BNG, and PSOE.
Curriculum approvals advance for the new school year
Galicia’s government completed approval of the pending primary, secondary, and baccalaureate curricula during the week, reinforcing certain subjects and maintaining numerical grades despite national-level changes. The education department attributes the delay to the central government’s full approval process and the implementation of the Lomloe reform, which the Xunta intends to apply flexibly on disputed matters.
The approved curriculum expands emphasis on mathematics, technology, and digitization in compulsory education, while broadening the geography, art, history, and Galician heritage offerings at the Baccalaureate level. A question arose about the section on gender-separated schools or concert arrangements, and Rueda noted that applications would be addressed within the regulatory framework and interpreted in a minimally invasive manner, with practical steps to align with Galician positions where differences exist.