Pedro Sánchez’s meeting with regional presidents was the most complicated so far, with a lot of interest surrounding it. Emiliano García-Page, the president of Castilla-La Mancha, expressed his rejection of the special financing system agreed upon for Catalonia which enabled Salvador Illa’s investiture. He emphasized that this agreement cannot be the basis for future negotiations on the regional financing system, which should have been renewed a decade ago. Page also stated that the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy (CPFF) should not be the final organ for negotiating the future financing system, expressing doubts about the government’s advantage in the CPFF and the need for prior agreements before the CPFF meeting.
The reunion between Sánchez and Page at La Moncloa, their first meeting since 2018, reflected the strained relationship between the two leaders. Despite a cordial and respectful meeting, it was evident that their differences have persisted over the years. Page has consistently criticized Sánchez’s strategy regarding the Catalonia conflict, particularly by granting pardons to the pro-independence leaders. The recent agreement between PSC and ERC further strained their relationship. Page has been vocal within the PSOE, alongside other leaders, regarding their disagreement with certain government decisions.
The issue of financing dominated the meeting, with Page presenting a document advocating for a financing model where Catalonia remains within the group of common-status communities. He criticized the agreement between PSC and ERC, comparing it to the Basque Country’s financial system and emphasized the need to address the issue of depopulation in the new financing model. Page’s proposal is based on two previous documents and focuses on incorporating measures to combat depopulation as a key factor in the new model. He left the meeting with a reaffirmed stance, highlighting the widespread support for his position across Spain, regardless of which region proposed a similar financing model.
Page did not hold back in his criticism of the government’s territorial policy and coalition partners, expressing his dissatisfaction with certain decisions and agreements that, in his view, have compromised the party’s centrist stance. He highlighted the challenges of aligning with figures like Puigdemont and criticized the influence of certain actors on the government’s agenda. Despite the differences between Page and Sánchez, the meeting concluded with a handshake and a joint commitment to further negotiations on the financing system. The disagreements within the PSOE regarding certain policy decisions and alliances continue to be a point of contention, underscoring the complex dynamics within the party.
