The PSC candidate for the Catalan elections, Salvador Illa, is always very cautious when it comes to revealing his pact preferences if he wins the elections and has the option to govern, but yesterday he gave a clue about the agreements he has in mind. mind, by stating in an interview in La Xarxa that he prioritizes left-wing parties.
The socialist candidate usually addresses the issue of post-electoral pacts by ensuring that he is in favor of “comprehensive agreements” and “with all” parties, except those on the extreme right. “Neither Vox, nor Orriols,” he usually says in reference to the leader of Aliança Catalana, who could obtain parliamentary representation.
Furthermore, remember that the agreements with ERC, Junts, the Commons and even with the PP that have been signed during the legislature support this position. But for some time now, Illa is putting emphasis on the progressive nature of the option that he represents, thus refuting those who place him on the right of the PSOE.
To resolve some of the underlying problems in Catalonia, the candidate believes that “very broad agreements” will be necessary, but “to form a government is something else,” he admits. “There are formations with which I have more affinity, which would be the first with which I would sit down” and he admitted that he has “more coincidences” with left-wing parties.
Illa stressed that Catalonia “needs stability”, a “four-year government, with enough strength” to face reforms in “very neglected” public services. His program therefore has a social character, with concrete measures to “generate prosperity” but “with equity.”
This was also stated yesterday in a colloquium at the Col·legi d'Economistes de Catalunya, where he presented his country model to a group concerned about issues such as financing, the fiscal deficit, drought, infrastructure, administration reform. , housing, renewable energies, the production model, talent retention or productivity.
The candidate presented his recipes. He set fighting the drought as an imperative priority, but his plan to improve financing generated interest in the entity. Illa opted for a model based on the principle of ordinality, in accordance with the possibilities offered by the current Statute and agreed with the social agents, although he warned that this problem will not be simple, nor quick, nor the first to be resolved.
At the same time, he promised to help fight against fiscal dumping in Spain, but ruled out lowering taxes for several reasons. The international context, in which more investment in security is required, and the needs in public services, such as healthcare after the pandemic, advise against it. “I want the European model: generating prosperity but with equity. I don't want an Anglo-Saxon model,” he remarked.
In terms of infrastructure, it opted for the expansion of the El Prat airport, for completing the fourth beltway and for undertaking investments in renewables and Rodalies. And in housing, for collaborating with the town councils.
Finally, Illa advocated for the integration of immigration in the face of “speeches of fear,” because “not only does it not put our identity at risk, but it enriches it,” he said.
