Elena Manzano, a 42-year-old from Cáceres, has been in charge of the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration of Extremadura (PP) for about a year, but has spent her whole life dealing with public finance issues. As a Doctor and Associate Professor of Tax Law, she defends the tax reduction policies of the Extremadura Government (PP-Vox). She argues that they are not implementing a general tax reduction, but rather aiming for tax justice. She advocates for the elimination of the wealth tax, rejects the special funding requested by Catalonia, and calls for the reform of the system to include the autonomous regions and provide an injection of resources. She emphasizes the need for fair investment and financing for Extremadura, taking into account the cost of providing public services and addressing the demographic challenge as an emergency that should also be considered in the financing system.
When asked about Extremadura’s low per capita GDP and high risk of poverty, Elena highlights the importance of investment and compliance with the Constitution in achieving balanced and cohesive growth in Spain. She criticizes the historical lack of fair funding for Extremadura, leading to an exodus of its residents to other regions where opportunities are more abundant. She argues that the current approach of measuring contributions and returns purely based on population size is flawed and does not consider the actual cost of providing services in different regions. She calls for a more nuanced approach to resource allocation that takes into account the unique needs of less populated areas like Extremadura.
Regarding the redistribution of resources, Elena insists on the necessity of adequately reflecting the cost of service provision in Extremadura and highlighting the urgent demographic challenge that must be addressed through the financing system. She proposes convening a Conference of Presidents and subsequently a Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy to discuss and negotiate a more inclusive and fair system of resource allocation. She stresses the need for additional financial contributions from the State to address the inadequacy of current funding levels.
Elena argues for a more balanced distribution of fiscal revenues by the State to address the financial needs of all regions, while also advocating for tax justice and fairness in her region. She explains that the government’s tax reduction measures are carefully budgeted and aimed at providing relief to low-income earners, creating a more welcoming environment for residents and potential newcomers. She emphasizes the importance of fiscal policy in retaining and attracting population to Extremadura, alongside other transversal measures that contribute to a more attractive environment for investors and residents alike.
On the issue of regional disparities within Spain, Elena calls for a discussion on the integration of the different regional fiscal systems to ensure harmonization and fairness. She warns against the potential negative consequences of granting Catalonia the special funding it requests, as it could lead to further political and financial imbalances within Spain. She emphasizes the need for multilateral discussions and decisions on financial matters to ensure a fair and balanced approach for all regions. Overall, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration and dialogue among regions and the State to achieve a more equitable financial system in Spain.
