The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has opted to encourage an “equal, respectful, intelligent and constructive” relationship with Catalonia to advance “common interests” for both autonomies, during his speech at the Colloquium of the Autonomous Presidents Cycle organized by the Barcelona Equestrian Circle.
Mazón has pointed out that “above all is the interest of the citizens” and has expressed his willingness to meet with the president of the Catalan Generalitat, Salvador Illa, to address issues of interest and “find common points” on matters such as infrastructure, mobility, energy, health and “even regional financing.”
In reference to the Mediterranean Corridor, Mazón has criticized the delay of this infrastructure “which had to be up and running in 2021” and has asked Catalan society “to exert the same pressure and insistence with the Valencian section as with the Catalan one” because It is a “win-win” issue.
Thus, he has called for “the main corridor of prosperity that Spain and Europe have to be taken seriously.” Likewise, he has regretted a “strictly radial” conception in terms of infrastructure and has appealed to “efficiency and common sense” while pointing out “the competitiveness and job creation” that is generated in the Mediterranean Corridor.
Likewise, he has asked Catalonia to position itself in favor of the extension of nuclear power plants so that it “lobbies for the Government to change its position” and has recalled the commitment of other European countries towards this type of energy. . In this way, he has defended that it is “clean, cheap and represents 45% of the energy in the Valencian Community”. Likewise, it has influenced its commitment to renewable energies and has highlighted that “in one year it has tripled its photovoltaic authorizations.”
Financing system
Carlos Mazón has considered singular financing for Catalonia “a mistake” and has demanded to know the details of the agreement between the PSOE and ERC, while at the same time he has advocated building a country “between all of us.”
Likewise, he recalled that the reform of the regional financing system “is the responsibility of the government” and has highlighted the importance of implementing a temporary leveling fund for underfinanced autonomous communities “that guarantees health equity for all Spaniards.” .
In this way, he has stressed that financing “is not a fencing battle between regional presidents”, but rather consists of guaranteeing the health, educational rights and social services of citizens.
Defense of fiscal sovereignty
In fiscal matters, he indicated that Catalonia and the Valencian Community “do not deserve to have the highest tax pressure in Spain because there is no direct relationship with having better services.” For this reason, he has advocated working within the framework of our self-government for medium and long-term taxation that “makes our economy more competitive, which is the best way to feed social policies.”
Thus, he assured that “the Generalitat has launched a tax reform for low and medium incomes and to encourage productive activity that generates more VAT and income for the Community.” In this way, he has made reference to the elimination of the inheritance and donation tax “for a moral issue” and has highlighted that the Valencian Community is the region “with the most tax relief for low and medium incomes” on expenses linked to sports practice, oral health, or highly complex chronic diseases, among others.
During his speech, he highlighted the implementation of other measures such as administrative simplification that “declares us as a business friendly territory” and assured that “any company that wants to establish itself in the Valencian Community will be welcome.”
America’s Cup
Regarding the Copa America, the head of the Consell has shown the Generalitat’s willingness to “fight for it to return home because it is very symbolic for Valencians” and contributes to developing the blue economy as “the axis of our ambitious and sustainable growth.” . Thus, it has appealed to public-private collaboration and business involvement to turn the next edition of the Copa América in Valencia into “an absolute success.”
Takeover bid Banco Sabadell
In reference to BBVA’s takeover bid for Banco Sabadell, Carlos Mazón has expressed his concern about this operation because of how it may affect employment, territorial structure and the need to guarantee that citizens have different financial options. In this sense, he has defended that banking entities “bet on the territory and its business fabric.”