Ruth Merino, Minister of Finance and spokesperson for the Valencian executive, denounced this morning the financial "suffocation" of the State towards the Valencian Community. A "suffocation" that, as she has justified, is making it difficult to pay the Valencian administration's suppliers on time.
One of the reasons, as he explained, is that the central government has not updated the payments on account that correspond to the 2024 financial year, "which means receiving close to 90 million euros less per month and we find ourselves with difficulty when it comes to to proceed with payments".
Merino explained this when asked about the fact that the Valencian Community was the second autonomous region that took the longest to pay its suppliers in February 2024, with an average period of 48.47 days. "We are working to lower it," The spokesperson responded, adding: "The Departments are doing everything possible to pay as soon as possible."
The councilor has also explained as one of the "surgent causes" the regional financing system that "burdens" autonomy: "It harms us every year with lower monthly income." "That is to say - she added - this Treasury deficiency is totally attributable to the Government of Spain." Thirdly, she clarified that when they joined the Government "there was an accumulated amount of pending payments to suppliers of 3,360 euros."
Given this situation, he said, the Departments are doing "everything possible" to pay as soon as possible. "We are playing catch-up, given the circumstances." And added to this, he added, since the pandemic there has been an influx of billions of euros of European funds and funds from the Government of Spain which, since there is a single cash system, have been used for other payments. of another type.
"Therefore, now we find that this money has already been spent and that allowed for a period of also lower means of payment during this time. That period has ended and, therefore, now we find ourselves with these difficulties," he said. criticized.
However, Merino regretted that "there is a suffocation on the part of the Government of Spain when it comes to providing public services that Valencians deserve" and, asked about relations with the Executive, she answered: "After "After several attempts and various letters to the minister to talk about the need to solve the injustice that has been committed against the citizens of this community, I still have not received any response," he criticized.
For this reason, he has insisted on the "dereliction of functions" and a "lack of responsibility" on the part of the minister, "who says that she wants to comply with all citizens of all communities, regardless of where they live, but then, When push comes to shove, he doesn't do it. He doesn't do his job," he criticized.
