The president of the Government of Castile and León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, expressed his discontent during the Conference of Presidents celebrated in Santander, advising to pay attention to justice if the autonomous finance model is fundamental in “privilegios” and not in a system « Just negotiated between everyone». In his statements, he also addressed the forgiveness of guilt to certain autonomous communities as a central theme, stating that “this is not the problem.”
Mañueco, visibly annoyed, made the meeting celebrated in the Palazzo della Maddalena disappointing, ensuring that his expectations of tangible progress were frustrated. «We hoped for a compromise and what we encountered was moderation. We demand solutions to improve healthcare, ease access to life, address illegal immigration and access equitable self-financing, but we are far from empty hands. Sánchez only signs deals with his separatist partners, while the others only give us away”, he stated.
The autonomous leader insisted that the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, give priority to his pacts with the pro-independence forces to meet the needs of the rest of the autonomous communities. According to Mañueco, the previous preparatory meeting and the topics addressed were treated superficially. «Sánchez only looks for the cute announcements that you believe, and that, in the meantime, never ends», he said.
Criticism of the forgiveness of guilt
One of the most controversial points of the conference was the topic of debt donation to certain autonomous communities. Mañueco denounced that this policy favors the “separatists” and demands that the rest of the Spaniards pay for the excesses of these regions. «It is not right that we all try to finance the purposes of children who eat in packages that do not serve anyone who benefits citizens», he declared.
The president of Castilla and León insisted on the need to establish a fair financing model that would allow essential public services such as education, health and social services to be guaranteed under equal conditions for all autonomous communities. “What we define Castilla y León is that we defend a model that ensures the quality of public services throughout the territory, without privileges for one or a few,” he argued.
Mañueco demanded a new recognition that was “fair and negotiated between all”, clearly saying that the problem was not rooted in to forgive or not, but to ensure a system that guarantees citizens' equality in access to basic services. «What is in the game is whether we ask for a model in which all Spaniards are the same as the model of Sánchez, who foments privileges», he emphasised.
Legal action relief
The autonomous leader will not hesitate to resort to the courts to defend the interests of his community and the country if he believes that the financial model is unfair. «We will do what is necessary, as we have in the past, to guarantee that the rights of Castilla, León and Spain are respected», he stated. According to Manuel, this position responds to his government's compromise with the citizens and the need to curb any action that favors one of the territories to the detriment of the others.
Failure to advance in healthcare and migration
In terms of healthcare, Mañueco harshly criticized the management of the central government, underlining that in six years and with six different ministers, no significant progress has been made. «We have been asking for solutions for years and following without answers. Today, once again, we leave with empty hands,” he lamented.
Regarding migration policy, the autonomous president also expressed his frustration at the lack of a coordinated and planned strategy. He insisted on the need to design an integral migration policy that is based on the collaboration of the autonomous communities and which is not based on unilateral impositions. “Migration policy is a national competence, but it cannot be used as a currency in negotiations with separatist forces,” he assured.
Complain without reply
Mañueco also denounced the use of progress on other priority issues, such as access to life and reducing bureaucracy. According to him, the central government has not provided concrete solutions, nor has it shown willingness to satisfy the demands posed by the autonomous communities. «We ask for reforms in the State Plan of Living, greater legal security for citizens and a reduction of tax burdens, but all these proposals have been ignored», he said.
The autonomous president concluded by reiterating his discontent with the management of the National Executive and his commitment to follow by defending the interests of Castilla y León, as well as the conjunto de España. «We cannot afford to make decisions that favor someone to the detriment of the mayor. This is not what citizens need,” he concluded.
With these declarations, Mañueco made it clear that he will continue to raise his voice in defense of a model of just finance and politics that guarantees the equality and well-being of all Spaniards, regardless of the autonomous community in which they reside. The tension between the central government and the autonomous communities seems to have a lot to resolve, while the debate on how to address desires in the finance and management of public services intensifies.
