The Valencian Platform on Fair Financing Defends Its Agenda in Parliament
Yesterday, representatives of the Fair Financing Platform presented their case to Parliament, explaining that timing was appropriate for voicing their concerns about the Valencia agenda. The assembly brought together social representatives and members of the Valencian Parliament, yet the central focus remained on the national Congress. The platform urged future executives to consider the potential consequences of the PSOE agreements with ERC and Junts, especially in relation to debt management and the creation of a new distribution framework for financing.
The Popular Party stood alone in raising public objections to these agreements, warning of possible harm to the Valencian Community. Other parties offered varying levels of support or used the moment to press additional demands that complemented the terms already negotiated with ERC and Junts in the Catalonia context, now applied to Valencia.
In this debate, Salvador Navarro, president of the Valencian employers’ association, pressed for a forgiveness of 70 percent of debts. Ismael Sáez, the general secretary of UGT PV, called for multilateral negotiations aimed at a broader financing agreement, while Ana García, leader of CC OO PV, underscored that these demands would affect both the debt volume and the investment program. The intention is for a minimum 70 percent amnesty, a target cited by the Valencian Business Confederation in relation to the ERC and PSOE agreement that proposed forgiving up to 20 percent of the Financial Loan for Assistance (FLA) during the economic crisis. The Sindicatura de Comptes previously indicated that funding shortfalls justify such relief, suggesting a figure close to €40,000 million of a total €57,000 million debt as the key amount in question.
Debt emerged as the platform’s new central area of work, reflected in the latest manifesto update. CC OO PV emphasized that national-level agreements could align with the interests of the Valencian Community, describing the ERC-PSOE accord as a potential example. García pointed out that this legislative session should be the moment to unlock the platform’s broader demands, signaling a shift in how debt relief would be viewed at the national level.
Ultimately, the platform seeks to restart all party commitments to their proclaimed objectives as the new legislature begins. The PP, PSPV, and Compromís remained engaged, while Vox did not participate. Yet, a unified stance on how these agreements would influence the Congress remained unsettled, reflecting differing interpretations among coalition partners.
For the socialist and Valencian camps, the developments signaled progress and a possible opening for action, often described as a window of opportunity by supporters. In contrast, the PP framed the situation as a challenge that could worsen the financial strain on the Valencian Community. The platform’s next move is slated for an event scheduled for Friday, when Valencian MPs and senators will formally sign the platform’s manifesto of demands in collaboration with a network of allied organizations and the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. There is also some uncertainty about whether the general assembly will meet to discuss amnesty in the Cortes on that day, a factor that could shape the legislative trajectory. The overall atmosphere suggests a tense but active engagement in shaping financing policy for Valencia, both in the regional arena and at the national level. [Attribution: Valencian governance observers]