The Ministry of Finance has postponed the meeting, which was set to discuss the regional financing system, until next Friday, September 4th. Sources from the department led by Arcadi España have indicated that dialogue avenues have been offered for months to reform the model.
Hacienda finds it "surprising" that, after Canarias communicated its favorable vote, some communities are now requesting a postponement of a council announced earlier this month. Nevertheless, the ministry insists on its "good will" and accepts the request, confirming the new date for the model reform.
Minister Arcadi España is confident that the PP communities will prioritize citizens' interests over their party's directives. According to Hacienda sources, the proposed reform would allow autonomous communities to have an additional 20.975 billion euros to strengthen the Welfare State and improve public services.
The September 4th meeting is a necessary step before the text can be submitted to the Council of Ministers and then to Congress. Hacienda aims to complete the process before the end of 2026, so the system can take effect on January 1st, 2027, given that the current model dates back to 2009 and should have been revised in 2014.
The CPFF's voting arithmetic, where Hacienda holds 50% of the votes and requires the support of at least one autonomous community, is strengthened by Canarias's backing, adding to the previously expected support from Cataluña. However, the proposal does not have the backing of socialist-governed communities like Castilla-La Mancha or Asturias.
Hacienda's proposal includes increasing the communities' share in personal income tax (IRPF) from 50% to 55% and in VAT from 50% to 56.5%, as well as reinforcing solidarity mechanisms and the state's contribution to fundamental public services. A controversial point is the update of theoretical revenue from ceded taxes, which will require communities to cover the difference between actual and theoretical revenue with their own resources.
The PP interprets this mechanism as indirect fiscal harmonization, while Hacienda argues it aims to strengthen fiscal co-responsibility. Despite the Canary Islands' support, the PP accuses the Government of designing the system for a singular financing model for Cataluña, an interpretation Hacienda rejects, stating all communities will gain resources.
