Catalonia’s government will leave Vox and Aliança Catalana out of upcoming education reform talks, arguing these parties disrupt consensus and offer no solutions. The move draws a clear line in the region’s political debate.
The Catalan government has decided not to invite Vox and Aliança Catalana to its upcoming education reform talks. Presidency councillor Albert Dalmau confirmed the decision, saying the administration wants to keep out parties it sees as disruptive and uninterested in improving the system.
President Salvador Illa had promised a broad debate on education, aiming to bring together all stakeholders and reach agreement on raising public education investment to 6%. But as Dalmau explained on TV3, the government will not include parties it believes are fundamentally opposed to constructive dialogue. “It is not on the government’s agenda to include formations that come to break the system from within,” he said, referring to Vox and Aliança Catalana. The 6% funding target is tied to the 2009 Catalan education law, which has not yet been met despite repeated promises, according to Crónica Global and Público.
The government’s plan for education reform was announced in advance, with Salvador Illa stating that the first step would be meetings with parliamentary parties, followed by engagement with the regional education council.
The exclusion goes beyond parliament. The government plans to involve civil society, families, school leaders, and universities, but says only “democratic forces” will be invited. Dalmau argued that far-right parties remove themselves from real debate and focus on problems without offering solutions. As reported by 20 Minutos, the administration wants a broad agreement but is clear about which political actors it considers legitimate.
This comes as Catalonia’s education sector faces scrutiny. Recently, regional authorities sent inspectors to schools to enforce rules, sparking protests from staff. The push for a new education consensus is happening amid tension and competing ideas about the future of Catalan schools. According to Europa Press, Education Minister Ester Niubó has called for a new agreement involving teachers, families, and educational organizations, and has scheduled a meeting with unions for September 21.
Dalmau also mentioned upcoming changes to regional financing. He expects the Council of Ministers to approve a new system within three weeks, which could bring Catalonia an extra €4.7 billion. The government hopes Junts will join the talks during the parliamentary phase, which could further shape the region’s finances.
The start of the school year in Catalonia has been marked by ongoing negotiations with teachers and union-led strikes, with some education sector representatives criticizing the government for failing to reach a stable agreement. This social and union tension adds urgency to the search for a new education pact.
By excluding Vox and Aliança Catalana, the Catalan government is making a clear political choice about who gets to participate in shaping education policy. The move may make negotiations more manageable, but it also risks deepening divisions in a region where consensus is often fragile. The government is betting that working with selected groups will lead to more stable reforms, even if it means leaving some voices out.
