Correcting the record, the PP and Vox factions within the Autonomous Government have acted on the Generalitat’s draft budget. Both parties submitted amendments: one proposed a 160,000 euro discount on an item destined for the Provincial Council of Alicante to fund activities that encourage citizen participation, while the other proposed withholding 30,000 euros from the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) earmarked for establishing the Chair of Democratic Memory. The executive contended that the originally allocated amount was in error and has since been corrected, yet the withdrawal of aid to the GNA is explained by the presidency not taking office in the upcoming year. These moves drew sharp criticism from PSPV, which characterized the cuts as a humiliation toward the Alicante province.
In the draft regional budget, intended to bolster local citizen participation, the plan includes 300,000 euros for the Provincial Council of Alicante and 100,000 euros for Valencia and Castellón, respectively. The amendments advanced by PP and Vox reallocate these funds: Alicante would lose 140,000 euros to the state institution, while Valencia would see its allocation rise to 270,000 euros, leaving Castellón at 90,000 euros.
For the GNA, the president was set to receive 30,000 euros through the establishment agreement. That amount was eliminated amid the changes, and the money was redirected to support the maintenance and operation of the Tribunal de las Aguas de la Vega in Valencia, increasing the total to 100,000 euros. Critics viewed this shift as a strategic move that reflects broader budget priorities.
The changes drew harsh reproach from PSPV. Valencia Cortes Local Government spokesman Ramón Abad condemned the cuts, particularly those affecting the GNA president. He remarked that it is outrageous to see far-right forces steering the PP’s political direction in the Generalitat and recalled the ongoing efforts to preserve democratic memory from the Franco era, along with resistance to censorship and silencing of the hardships endured by many people.
Direct: The Generalitat’s 2024 budget totals 29.732 billion
In this context, it is emphasized that the economic plan already trims nearly a million euros from actions that were planned under the 2023 budget of the Consell de Ximo Puig, while honoring two years of committed aid. The elimination of Elche’s chair was cited as one of the few remaining chairs, now dissolved in what is described as a sign of disregard for regional needs. Critics argue that this demonstrates the Consell’s perceived insensitivity, ideological bias, and a hard-edged approach to policy.
Ramón Abad also notes that the cuts fall within the Presidential budget, which directly concerns Carlos Mazón, and asserts that the two amendments shift funding toward the financing of organizations and activities within Valencia. Despite the dissent, the autonomous government maintains that the amendments are justified. Supporters say the reduction in Alicante’s allocation corrects an earlier budgeting error that failed to reflect population weights across provinces. They insist that the correction distributes funds in line with population share and that adjusting allocations is a common, prudent budgeting mechanism.
Regarding the GNA president, sources indicate that after discussions with the rector, the planned 30,000 euros was withdrawn and is not expected to be released in the next fiscal year. As a result, that line item was removed in keeping with the new autonomous government’s intent to avoid creating fictitious or uncertain budgets. The executive rejects claims that this withdrawal carries an ideological motive, arguing that there are other articles in the budget that recognize democratic memory events for other universities as part of a broader, balanced funding framework.