Spain's Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy Meets Amid Calls for New Autonomous Financing System and Political Criticism
Spain’s Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy met to debate a new autonomous financing system and fiscal stability, sparking both support and criticism ahead of the 2026 budgets.
- • The government proposed a new autonomous financing system respecting Catalunya's uniqueness and improving liquidity by eliminating advance payments.
- • Alícia Romero endorsed the government's plan, emphasizing federal reforms and increased tax transfers to autonomous communities.
- • Opposition leader Alfonso Rueda criticized the meeting as a charade and denounced delays in budget planning and alleged PSOE corruption.
- • Various regional leaders, including Carlos Fernández Carriedo, participated, reflecting broad territorial involvement.
- • The government aims to finalize the financing model by early 2026 with implementation targeted for 2027.
Key details
On November 17, 2025, Spain's Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy (CPFF) convened in Madrid to discuss critical fiscal matters, including the stability of public administrations and foundational measures for the 2026 General State Budgets. The meeting featured differing political perspectives on the government's fiscal management and future proposals for regional fiscal autonomy.
A key focal point was the government's proposition for a new autonomous financing system. Alícia Romero, Economy Minister of the Catalan Generalitat, welcomed the proposal, highlighting how the model aims to respect Catalunya's uniqueness while increasing tax revenue transfers from the State to autonomous communities. Romero also noted that the proposal intends to eliminate advance payments to improve liquidity and includes reforms to create a more federal tax agency with enhanced data sharing between territorial tax offices. She acknowledged that preliminary details sounded promising and affirmed the government’s commitment to honoring the PSC-ERC agreement concerning Salvador Illa’s investiture. The government expects concrete details early next year with implementation envisioned by 2027 (ID 147697).
However, Alfonso Rueda, president of the Popular Party in Galicia, expressed sharp criticism and skepticism about the meeting's impact. Rueda decried the absence of timely budgets, describing the session as a "paripé"—a charade—aimed at creating a false impression of stability. He relayed that Galicia has been forced to calculate its own fiscal figures due to governmental inaction. Rueda further alluded to ongoing corruption allegations within the PSOE, suggesting that more revelations are forthcoming. He also condemned the central government’s confrontational stance, referencing legal actions planned by the Health Ministry against the Community of Madrid’s government over abortion-related medical records. Reflecting on Pedro Sánchez's two-year leadership, Rueda commented on the rising fortunes of the Popular Party and the declining vote share of the PSOE, which he claims survives only by drawing support from parliamentary allies (ID 147700).
Additionally, the CPFF meeting included participation from regional leaders such as Carlos Fernández Carriedo, Economy and Finance counselor and spokesperson for the Junta de Castilla y León. His presence underscores the involvement of various autonomous communities in these fiscal discussions (ID 147694).
These developments mark an important step in the ongoing dialogue over Spain’s fiscal policy and regional autonomy. The government’s efforts to reform and enhance financing mechanisms contrast with opposition skepticism over political and fiscal stability, setting the stage for further debate as budget preparations unfold in the coming months.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.