The Palau de la Generalitat received with optimism the joint statement from the main Catalan business associations, including the Catalan G8 and, significantly, Foment del Treball. This adherence comes after the public discrepancies that the employers' association, led by Josep Sánchez Llibre, had initially expressed regarding the financing proposal presented by the central Government.
“"It is good news that Foment has rectified its position and is now joining the consensus."
The Minister of Economy, Alícia Romero, insisted that Foment's adherence shows that the employers' association “is part of the country's economic reality” and that, after rigorous work, it has decided to join the consensus. However, Romero acknowledged that the economic agents consider the proposed model, although representing a “substantial improvement,” still insufficient, especially regarding the inclusion of the cost of living in the calculation of the adjusted population.
From the opposition, Junts per Catalunya offered a radically different interpretation of the statement. The party's deputy and vice-president, Antoni Castellà, considered that the business leaders had “amended” the Executive, since, according to him, the Govern had lied in claiming that it already had the endorsement of the employers' associations.
“"They told us they had their endorsement, and they have had to come out and rectify it. The Govern lied to us about this position."
Finally, the Govern clung to the employers' request that political forces work with unity and a constructive attitude to “deepen the reform of the system.” Romero directed this request directly to Junts, while Castellà defended that the true starting point must be Catalunya's exit from the common regime through the economic agreement (concert econòmic).
