Beyond the creation of a commercial company for the Investment Consortium, which was previously rejected by the Spanish Congress, the republicans have emphasized their intention for the budget to be accompanied by an explicit agreement for the orbital train line. Additionally, they seek the transfer of a state competency to the Generalitat, which is currently under negotiation and has not been specified.
“"The landing of a budget agreement depends on these parallel negotiations that are being held."
An Esquerra Republicana spokesperson highlighted the orbital railway axis as a fundamental element of the negotiation, although its realization depends on political will both in Catalonia and from the Spanish government. This infrastructure, which would connect towns such as Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Vilafranca del Penedès, Martorell, Sabadell, Granollers, Mollet del Vallès, and Mataró, is presented as a solution to the crises of mobility, lack of infrastructure investment, and territorial imbalance.
“"The proposal involves a network of connected cities, and this is the context of the orbital train, which is a response to these three crises. The orbital is not a new railway line; it is a new country model."
The estimated investment for this project is between 4,000 and 5,000 million euros, requiring a clear commitment to investment from the State. However, a portion of this line already exists, referring to the R8 of Rodalies and sections of other lines like the R4.
Another key point is the importance of unblocking the Investment Consortium through a commercial company that does not require approval from the Congress. The third element of the negotiation, which is not the last, seeks to gain sovereignty in an area currently under the exclusive competence of the Spanish State, where ERC believes the Generalitat can play a significant or majority role.
These agreements, which the republicans want to finalize as soon as possible, also depend on a bilateral commission between the State and the Generalitat, which must be convened before the budget's approval, scheduled before the end of the current session period. Esquerra Republicana does not foresee the Catalan Government approving the budget project without a prior agreement.
“"We will not allow Mr. Trapero to end up mortgaging the budgets of hospitals and schools."
In other news, the party has described police infiltrations into teachers' assemblies as "absurd" and has reiterated the call for the resignation or dismissal of the director-general of the Mossos d'Esquadra. Nevertheless, this demand has been disconnected from budget negotiations, stating that ERC's objective is not to reject the accounts, as they belong to "a country" and not a party or government.
