Before the fine print of the agreement between PSC and ERC became public, the Valencian regional government had already called an urgent press briefing with its top financial officials to reject Catalonia’s fiscal concert. In parallel and in perfect synchronization, the president, Carlos Mazón, warned from Alicante that this is a fiscal coup d’etat that upends the distribution mechanism and undermines interregional solidarity and equality among Spaniards. The spokesperson and finance minister, Ruth Merino, speaking from Valencia, echoed the same concerns. Mazón and Merino also confirmed that they are examining potential constitutional challenges.
Both leaders made it clear that they view the fiscal concert as a break in the long-standing equality among Spanish regions and a worsening of financial problems for territories like Valencia, which is already underfunded. They argued that if ERC’s proposals were implemented, one of the wealthier communities would stop contributing to the common fund, leaving the rest with less resource to meet public needs. The implications, they said, would be felt across social services, infrastructure, and regional development, compounding existing disparities.
Specifically, the council’s calculations suggest that Catalonia’s alleged fiscal independence would deprive the state of around 50 billion euros, with half of that sum distributed to other regions through the current funding framework. This figure underscored the potential redistribution challenges and the perceived risk to the stability of Spain’s integrated fiscal model.
For that reason, the head of the Consell confirmed that Valencia is already considering steps against the pact. Mazón argued that the community cannot afford to stay silent in the face of a fiscal coup that, in effect, challenges the principle of equal treatment among Spaniards. Merino asserted her belief in the illegality of the agreement, pointing to constitutional protections and established norms that she argues would be violated by the proposed arrangements.
The two leaders also questioned the stance of PSPV and its head, Diana Morant, who is part of the national government, accusing the federation of aligning with central power. Mazón described the PSPV’s position as being the most partisan of the regional federations and contrasted it with the positions taken by regions like Castilla-La Mancha. The critique highlighted tensions between regional autonomy and national policy, a core issue in the broader debate over fiscal sharing and autonomy within the country.