With the signing of the so-called Valencia Declaration, Ximo Puig and Francina Armengol not only closed the second summit between the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands yesterday, but also added specific actions and demands to the complicity shown between the two governments of both countries. autonomy.
To the rhetoric of the “Mediterranean road”, which calls for dialogue, alliances and diversity in the face of centralism, noise or hooliganism, a request for state funding for the creation of a tourism program between the two communities, for the improvement of qualifications, was added. The number of workers and companies in this sector, as well as the usual argument for greater decision-making capacity in the management of European funds and the “non-delayable” reform of finance.
The government’s most concrete action, perhaps the only one, is the agreement to promote the Val-Bal program based on the creation of a digital platform to promote off-season travel between citizens of both regions. The purpose of this, which should be negotiated with the private sector, is for the public to contribute to the creation and promotion of the platform, and for member companies to apply a 15% discount.
However, this is not the only tourism agreement between the two communities. The Balearic Islands and the Commonwealth of Valencia will seek a state fund from the central government for the establishment of tourism companies and workers managed from the autonomies to maintain a record of constant employment with interruptions during low season.
The section on joint claims is varied. “We demand what is fair,” Puig said in his assessments. The classic of almost all autonomous forums is the reform of the financial system. Stating that it is “inevitable” that autonomous communities are equipped with “financial competence”, the statement says, “We think that all autonomous communities, Congress, Senate and Government cannot be postponed, and we urgently agree on a new financing system” and a “equality in the distribution of resources”.
That is, a “redistribution” to expand funds allocated to communities and avoid inequality between regions. “There is no veto period for the deal, we will continue with our argument because it affects constitutional functioning,” Puig said. “This is a democratic anomaly, there is no excuse,” Armengol added.
The “blue deal” for the sea
More information on petitions to the government. The second article of the statement: “We advocate the need to move forward in a federal way.” Or in the words of the Balearic president at the press conference: “Have more decision-making capacity and move forward in administrative decentralization.”
“We want progress and more speed,” he added. Armengol pointed to two issues for this decision-making capacity: rents and European funds. The first of these was the demand for arranging the rental prices, as mentioned in the post-signature evaluations, as the Minister of Zoning had done the previous day.
The Balearic leader from European sources noted that the good management of these funds allows the autonomies to gain “more decentralization” in their implementation. This issue is included in the declaration and it is added that a “permanent technical table” is created between the two autonomy on this mechanism.
Likewise, they have targeted the protection of the Mediterranean from a “blue pact”, as well as a commitment to sustainable mobility between the two autonomies.
Concern for constitutional maneuver
The possibility of the Constitutional Court paralyzing a parliamentary process brought the summit to an end. “This is very worrying,” said Puig, while his Balearic counterpart described the situation as “very serious”.
Thus, the Consell president hoped that “the right decision would be made and the separation of powers would work.” Armengol, on the other hand, argued that we are in an “anachronistic moment” for the functioning of the rule of law if respect for institutions disappears.