Dissatisfaction is growing within the government of the Comunidad Valenciana: regional authorities are demanding not just promises from Madrid, but concrete steps toward reforming Spain’s system of regional financing. Miguel Barrachina, spokesperson for the Valencian government, insists that any statements from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez must be formalized as a bill, enabling all regions to express their views. According to Barrachina, verbal assurances from the prime minister too often remain just words without resulting in real action.
Barrachina stressed that it remains unclear whether the regional cabinet has received any invitation for bilateral talks with the central government. He said there is no information regarding any official contact on the matter. At the same time, in his view, discussing reform without a clearly drafted bill is pointless. “Until there is a written law, all talks are nothing but empty promises,” he stated at a press conference following the regional government meeting.
Madrid’s approach faces criticism
Valencian authorities have made no secret of their disappointment: out of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities, only one supports the proposed model, which, according to Barrachina, Madrid agreed to solely with the Catalan separatists. He believes the current approach ignores Valencia’s key demands—establishing an equalization fund, improving funding conditions for the dependency system, accounting for healthcare costs for incomers, and, finally, writing off part of the region’s debt.
Barrachina has repeatedly stated that discussing the details is pointless without a draft law. In his view, the official text must be presented first, followed by debate and a vote in the Congress of Deputies, and only then consultations with the regions. Anything else, he says, is just talk for the sake of talking without any legal weight.
Political disagreements
The question of bilateral negotiations with Madrid remains unresolved. Barrachina made it clear that the region is not prepared to make concessions without clearly defined guarantees. He strongly criticized the central government’s attempts to reach agreement on the new funding system with Catalan nationalists, especially with Oriol Junqueras from Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, who was previously convicted of embezzlement and inciting rebellion. In the Valencia representative’s view, this approach only deepens mistrust between the regions and central authorities.
Barrachina recalled that back in December of last year, the regional president Juanfran Pérez Llorca, during a meeting with the prime minister, had already demanded a draft law on funding. However, this issue was effectively blocked by the leader of the Catalan Republicans, who holds no official posts in any regional governments. According to Valencia, such a situation is unacceptable and undermines the legitimacy of the entire process.
Valencia’s position
Despite rising tensions, regional authorities stress they are open to dialogue with Madrid on all issues affecting the interests of Valencia’s residents. As an example, Barrachina cited the creation of a joint commission after devastating floods, when the region and the central government were able to quickly coordinate their actions. However, regarding the funding reform, he emphasized that a clear procedure is needed: first the draft law, then discussion, and only afterward potential bilateral meetings.
Barrachina also pointed out that the funding system reform was supposed to be introduced back in 2018. In his view, the fact that, after seven years, the regions still see neither the text of the law nor a clear roadmap is a direct responsibility of the current national government. He believes that delays in the process only deepen mistrust between the autonomous communities and Madrid.
Prospects and Expectations
Valencia makes no secret of its growing frustration with Madrid’s endless promises. Regional authorities are demanding transparency, clear rules, and equal conditions for all autonomous communities. For now, they believe the central government prefers backroom deals with select regions, ignoring the interests of the majority.
Tensions are rising over the reform of regional funding. Valencia insists that only a bill debated and voted on in parliament can provide a fair basis for distributing funds between the regions. Until then, authorities here see Madrid’s statements as little more than political theater.
