The Government of the Principality has reiterated this Monday that it will oppose the reform of the regional financing model if the Ministry of Finance does not introduce "substantial" changes to the draft sent to the regions, considering that the current text does not address the demands made by Asturias.
This was indicated by the Minister of Finance, Justice and European Affairs and spokesperson for the Asturian Executive, Guillermo Peláez, who detailed that the documentation sent "responds precisely to what was presented in January" and that, by not incorporating significant variations, the Principality's position "does not move" and remains covered by the agreement reached in the Regional Financing Board.
Peláez stressed that Asturias is committed to a system that reflects the real cost of essential public services and has once again called for a review of the calculation of adjusted population, which he has defined as one of the "most determining" variables of the current model.
However, he stressed that the Principality maintains open negotiations until the meeting of the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy, scheduled for next July 29. Prior to this, a technical meeting will be held this Tuesday in which Asturias will ask for clarifications on the additional fund included in the Ministry's proposal.
"We are talking about substantial modifications," stated the minister, who admitted that the margin to achieve them "is scarce," although he urged the department headed by Finance to introduce changes before the final vote takes place.
When questioned about the possible consequences of a negative vote, Peláez denied that it would deteriorate the relationship with the central Executive and stressed that the Asturian government will act "with absolute institutional loyalty," although it will defend "the interests of Asturias" at all times.
Fiscal review for the middle classes
Regarding the words of the President of the Principality, Adrián Barbón, about a possible review of taxation aimed at the middle classes in the next budgets, Peláez indicated that the Ministry of Finance is already analyzing different scenarios, although he declined to specify measures.
The minister indicated that the Executive shares the approach proposed by Barbón and maintained that tax policy can be "a good lever" to improve the situation of the middle and working classes, always within the framework of the so-called "Asturian fiscal route."
In this regard, he has specified that the initiatives being studied seek to reinforce the progressivity of the tax system and benefit middle and working incomes, while guaranteeing the financial sufficiency of public services. Even so, he has stressed that any proposal must be framed within the negotiation of the regional accounts, which is why he has called for caution until a definitive approach exists.