The first federal committee meeting of the PSOE after the unique financing agreement for Catalonia has sparked a lot of debate, with less harsh criticism than expected. Emiliano García-Page, president of Castilla-La Mancha, has reinforced his position as a leader of the anti-Sánchez faction, along with former Aragon president Javier Lambán. Other regional leaders like Miguel Ángel Gallardo of Extremadura and Luis Tudanca of Castilla y León have expressed concerns about the financing, but not as strongly as Page and Lambán. In his closing remarks after over four hours of debate, Pedro Sánchez emphasized the need for the party to stay ahead with loyalty and highlighted the Government as the PSOE’s greatest asset for the 2027 elections.
The regional leaders have raised concerns that the funding model is not set in stone with the agreement signed with ERC for Catalonia, which is a relief for them and a point they can use in their territories. They hope for a consensus to be reached at the 41st Federal Congress to be held at the end of November in Sevilla. Salvador Illa, president of the Generalitat, spoke at the federal committee meeting emphasizing solidarity between PSC and PSOE, and defending the actions taken to preserve the unity of Spain. Many regional leaders shared the sentiment of maintaining solidarity and cooperation between territories during the crisis.
García-Page and Lambán have been the most critical of the PSOE leaders, with their concerns about the agreement with ERC and the potential implications for the rest of the country. García-Page criticized the lack of communication from the federal leadership and expressed doubts about the agreement’s specifics. Lambán also voiced his opposition to the fiscal pact, explaining that it could have detrimental effects on other regions if implemented. Their concerns were shared by others in the meeting and led to discussions about the potential impact on the unity of the party and the country.
Miguel Ángel Gallardo of Extremadura emphasized the importance of a funding system based on equality and social justice, expressing his confidence that the new model will benefit his region. He affirmed that any model should prioritize equality, social justice, and financial sufficiency. Similarly, Juan Lobato of Madrid offered to participate in drafting the party’s funding policy for the upcoming Congress, advocating for a consensus among all territories. The leaders of Andalusia and Castilla y León also stressed the need for a fair funding system that addresses their regions’ specific needs.
The regional leaders at the PSOE meeting expressed their concerns about the potential implications of the financing agreement with ERC for Catalonia. They emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation within the party to ensure that any changes to the funding model benefit all regions equally. The debate highlighted different perspectives on the issue, with some leaders questioning the implications for their regions and urging for a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process. The federal committee meeting ended with a commitment to continue discussing and refining the funding model in the lead-up to the 41st Federal Congress.
