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Ruth Merino: "The Debt Write-off is a Sham and Means Bowing to the Separatists"

Ruth Merino: "The Debt Write-off is a Sham and Means Bowing to the Separatists"

The Finance Minister sees it as a priority for the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council to address the reform of the financing system and the equalisation fund

Nicolás Van Looy

Benidorm

Miércoles, 5 de febrero 2025, 11:25

The Spanish Government's Ministry of Finance has summoned the Autonomous Communities to a meeting of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council, which will take place on January 26th in Madrid. Although the agenda has not yet been confirmed, it is expected that the Executive will address the reform of the financing system and the assumption of part of the regional debt through the Regional Liquidity Fund (FLA) or other mechanisms. This was at least hinted at by the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, to the regional executives at the Presidents' Conference held last December.

The Finance Minister of the Valencian Community, Ruth Merino, addressed this issue in response to questions from TodoAlicante during a visit to the city of Benidorm on Wednesday morning, stating that, for now, the Consell is "waiting", as "there is still no official call, and therefore, we do not know what will be discussed or if anything will need to be voted on."

Despite this uncertainty, Merino acknowledged that "it is true that there is talk of debt forgiveness," although this option is, for the Valencian Government, "something we have to regret."

Reform of the System

The head of Economy and Finance in the Valencian Generalitat believes that "what Valencians need is for the reform of the financing system to be put on the table of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council." In fact, in her opinion, "this is the most important thing of all, and we have been demanding it from day one." According to Merino, "secondly, that equalisation fund, which means an additional 1.8 billion euros each year, should be added."

In any case, the head of the Finance Ministry acknowledges that "the debt is there, and we have to talk about it," although she insists that "it is not the main thing." In Ruth Merino's words, "the debt forgiveness of Puigdemont is a sham. It is a deception."

Merino places these intentions within the new political framework opened between the Government and Junts following the partial approval of the so-called Omnibus Decree and the demands made by Puigdemont's party in exchange for their support. "They want to take us to their ground. They want to do this to leave us with the crumbs of the Catalan separatists and leave us stranded once again," she asserted.

"End the Injustice"

Therefore, the Minister of Economy and Finance has emphasised that "we want to talk about the financing system and the equalisation fund. To end the injustice of so many years for all Valencians."

In any case, Merino concluded by stating that "we are going to wait and see what happens, but let it be clear that the debt write-off they want to propose, as they are saying, besides the fact that we do not have any serious proposal because there is no proposal, means bowing to the Catalan separatists because Pedro Sánchez needs it, and the Valencian people will not be part of that."

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todoalicante Ruth Merino: "The Debt Write-off is a Sham and Means Bowing to the Separatists"