The Valencian Agenda is one of the many empty signifiers used in politics. Its contents are completely unknown to pedestrians on the streets of Alcalá and Madrid’s Plaza San Juan de la Cruz. But not in the offices of the Ministries of Finance and Ecological Transition. In these departments, words such as financing, corridor, water, debt or port spoken with Valencia connections are familiar and if not, they should tell their top representatives.
Despite the secrecy, no one doubts that there are two names that will continue in the new Government: María Jesús Montero and Teresa Ribera, head of the Treasury and Ecological Transition, with all that it implies for the Valencian Community. Both are aware of Valencia’s demands, but if they continue to discuss the reform of the regional financing model, the Tajo-Segura transfer or the expansion of the port of Valencia, it will be because a solution cannot be found within five years.
During this period, the most responsible ones were always Montero and Ribera, but they showed different sensitivities regarding these issues. The greatest tension was with the Minister of Ecological Transition due to the establishment of the ecological flows of the Tagus and the interruption of the transfer to Segura. Even the aid of desalinated water could not prevent the discomfort. The continuity of the minister will mean approval of this approach, and the Valencian Government, now under the leadership of the PP, will turn this issue into a political war.
The other issue knocking on the door of Ribera’s office is the expansion of the Port of Valencia. The socialists showed that they were in favor of this in the face of the rejection of Compromís and Sumar. The Department gave a report that “conditions are suitable” for the study. This melon, along with other problems such as the restrictions on the coast of Valencia, must be resolved with Ribera as head of department this term.
Relationship with ups and downs
There is more agreement in theory with María Jesús Montero because of her background in the Junta de Andalusia, an autonomy with similar funding problems. If the facts were love, the relationship between the Generalitat and the Sevillian-led ministry was more like friends with benefits. There is no change in the system, but there is an increase in transfers and extra resources have been provided against the epidemic.
Also on the table was a draft of a new distribution model that did not convince the Valencian Community. With no changes in sight, the PSOE deputy general secretary will be responsible for designing the new distribution system and determining the debt forgiveness strategy for the autonomies. This discount is on the table for Catalonia due to the agreement with the ERC and is expected to be extended to the remaining autonomies.
Valencia’s agenda is also infrastructures such as the Mediterranean corridor or Cercanías. They are today under the Ministry of Transport, headed by Raquel Sánchez, and their future in the Administration is much less clear. His commitment to the PSC helps support Spain’s peripheral region and is notable for the execution of the Mediterranean railway, despite the fact that deficits remain.
Tribes continue
Who will direct the Ministry of Land Policy will be of great importance in terms of autonomy. It is one of the portfolios popular with Valencian Ximo Puig, who has insisted on the decentralization of the state in recent years. His name persists in the pools, just as many eyes in the Valencian socialist federation are on their mobile phones waiting for the call from Moncloa.
The composition of the government is slower than expected. Nothing comes out of the Presidential office and the intrigues continue. There is no leak carousel in this case. The aforementioned Puig, the continuation of Minister Diana Morant, the return of former Minister Gabriela Bravo or Arcadi España to Madrid, the recovery of José Luis Ábalos or a surprise like that of the then mayor of Gandia are some of the speculations of that season. waiting.
Montero will be responsible for designing the future financing model (if any) and implementing debt forgiveness for autonomies.
Its continuity is a guarantee that the difference in transfers will continue. The expansion of the Port of Valencia and its environmental impact will be on his desk.