The new Ministers of Finance and Land Policy, Arcadi Spain and Rebecca Torró, introduced this Wednesday the continuity plan backed by their predecessors at the Valencian Courts. A year after leaving office, the regional leaders outlined the government’s main lines of action. The head of the regional fund emphasized the importance of signing a major funding agreement and praised Botànic’s work to date, noting that the region has already made notable progress and pledging to maintain a channel of institutional dialogue to push forward. Yet, the message was clear: allies should not settle for flashy rhetoric, as Compromís pressed for another step in a firm, pointed tone to advance that goal. Over the past year, the target has been attracting investment and fostering sustainable mobility, with steps such as continuing the widening of the Santa Pola to Elche highway, reducing Alicante TRAM fares, and advancing the route between Dénia and Benidorm.
No one questions the funding gaps facing the Valencian Community anymore. Reforming the funding model is part of Spain’s political agenda. A Finance Ministry document is up for discussion, and decisions hinge on population-based criteria. In the meantime, the government has rolled out additional liquidity measures to better cushion the impact of funding inequities. These were cited as funding successes by the administration, though it is clear that the central government has signaled that this issue is not a legislative priority, a frustration shared by Valencians. Compromís did not accept a steady drumbeat of rhetoric; the minister promised continued pressure to cancel debt through dialogue and further funding, echoing concerns raised by the Sindicatura de Comptes. Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Moresaid, argued against complacency, urging a sustained push and recalling that his party had proposed a bill to press Madrid across party lines. Unides Podem’s Ferran Martínez highlighted the call for a new financing framework, debt forgiveness, equalization funding, and tax reform.
The opposition presented a broad set of demands, totaling more than 1.3 billion euros, arguing for increased funding and alleging budgetary inaccuracies. They also criticized discussions about a Volkswagen gigafactory in Sagunt that seemed to overshadow modest funding needs.
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Overall, Arcadi Spain announced six million euros for energy audits to issue efficiency certificates for Generalitat buildings and a new subsidized line to support Valencian companies through IVF. He noted that funds from the EU Next Generation program have already been allocated, totaling 2.508 billion euros, and that central and regional governments have provided resources to help businesses and families weather the covid crisis and the war in Ukraine, something not seen during the 2008 recession. Humility, responsibility, and dialogue will guide this new phase, he said.
Coast Train
Torró also spoke of leveraging European funds to reinforce his role as minister, citing 90 million euros allocated to Alicante TRAM. He outlined a basic plan for linking Luceros and Adif-Renfe stations with an investment of about 100 million euros, and continued work on extending the tram in Sant Joan d’Alacant. To reach Mutxamel, the project needs to be tendered. In the port area, the public-private partnership is transforming the coast with a 20 million euro investment. Regarding the Gandia to Dénia rail link, Torró explained that a proposal has been developed in recent months to connect the two inland municipalities with coastal towns. Together with the Navy and socio-economic actors, a tram project will structure the region and provide a local service to residents, ensuring the continuity of rail lines.
Torró pledged strict oversight of the Mediterranean Corridor and affirmed top-level engagement with the Ministry to prevent delays, reinforcing a commitment to improve suburban rail services across Spain. The minister argued that revitalizing the economy hinges on public works, noting that the current three-year investment has already surpassed 778 million euros, an increase from the prior 606 million. He also highlighted that the 300 million euros planned in the budget were activated through an agreement with the Spanish Government to be signed in the coming years.
In summary, his goals focus on expanding sustainable mobility, restructuring land use, modern urban planning, and renewable energy, with a strong commitment to rail, tram, and intercity transport. He also faced opposition accusing Botànic of stalling the Valencia Port’s expansion and criticizing ongoing public works funding debates, while questioning toll enforcement on highways.