The recent report from the Intervención General de la Administración del Estado (IGAE) is sparking controversy in Catalonia. Published by El País, the report reveals a significant disparity in state investment between Madrid and Catalonia during the first half of 2024. According to Camilo S. Baquero, the author of the original article, Madrid is currently receiving 52% more investment than Catalonia, fueling discontent among Catalan political leaders who feel the region is systematically underfunded.
Investment Discrepancies: A Closer Look
The IGAE report indicates that Catalonia received only 9.8% of the total territorialized investment, a figure far below the 19% stipulated by the Estatut, which mandates that Catalonia should receive investment equivalent to its contribution to the national GDP. While Catalonia is the third-highest recipient of state funds (€456 million), it significantly lags behind Madrid (€694 million) and even Andalucía (€524 million).
This disparity is particularly sensitive given the ongoing concerns about the performance of the Rodalies commuter rail service. Catalan political and economic figures are arguing that the recurring issues plaguing Rodalies stem from a historical lack of investment. Óscar Puente, the Minister of Transportes, maintains that the current disruptions are a result of ongoing improvements, but this explanation is not appeasing critics.
Breakdown of Investment Figures
- Administración General del Estado: €75.8 million
- Sector Público Empresarial (Adif and Renfe): €368.8 million (Renfe: €181 million, High Speed: €71 million, Grupo Renfe: €34 million)
- Entidades del Sector Público Administrativo: €7.2 million (Sincrotrón and Barcelona Supercomputing Center receiving the largest shares)
- Organismos Autónomos: €4.7 million (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Agencia Tributaria being the main beneficiaries)
Political Repercussions
The investment imbalance is drawing sharp criticism from Catalan pro-independence parties, Esquerra Republicana (ERC) and Junts per Catalunya, both of which supported Pedro Sánchez's investiture. Oriol Junqueras, leader of ERC, expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), stating that it is «unacceptable that, in the middle of 2024, only 20% of the investments in Catalonia had been executed… The transfer is the only solution and an urgent necessity». He compares the execution level by contrasting the IGAE report's figures with the spending forecast for the entire 2023 fiscal year, the last year in which the General Budgets were approved in Congress.
Carles Puigdemont, president of Junts, echoed Junqueras' sentiments, describing the situation as a «systematic erosion of Catalan society». He added, «Every year they fail to comply with their own budgets… And they still don't understand why we don't vote for them».
Comparing Catalonia to Other Regions
While Catalonia receives more investment than regions like Navarra (€32.9 million), La Rioja (€41.2 million), and Cantabria (€85 million), the significant gap between Catalonia and Madrid is fueling resentment. Madrid leads in three of the four investment categories outlined by the IGAE: €192 million from the Administración General, €110.7 million from autonomous bodies, and €385 million from public companies (Renfe and Adif). Catalonia comes close in the latter category with €368 million.
Historical Context
This is not an isolated incident. A previous report covering the entirety of 2022 revealed that only 42.9% of the budgeted investment in Catalonia was executed, representing just 10% of total territorialized investments, amounting to €947 million.
The Ongoing Debate
The debate over state investment in Catalonia is intensifying, with political leaders and citizens alike questioning the fairness and equity of the distribution of resources. The lack of investment is directly impacting critical infrastructure such as the Rodalies train service, causing daily disruptions and eroding public trust. As tensions continue to rise, finding a resolution that addresses Catalonia's long-standing grievances is becoming increasingly crucial for maintaining political stability within Spain.
The IGAE report is clearly igniting a fiery debate about regional investment, and the coming months will be crucial in determining whether a more equitable solution can be reached.
