Psoe and Junts Agree to Transfer Migration to Catalonia and Forgive Regional Debt

Pedro Sánchez has decided to yield to the interests of the Catalan separatists to ensure his stay in power. The agreement between PSOE and Junts, signed in exchange for Sánchez's investiture after the July 2023 elections.

Not only does it contemplate the transfer of immigration competencies to the Generalitat, but also a write-off of Catalan debt that exceeds what was initially agreed upon.

The pact establishes that the Generalitat will assume the management of immigration in its territory, even delegating the issuance of residence documents. However, the competencies over border control will remain under state jurisdiction. This has sparked criticism for the inconsistency in the distribution of powers.

The most controversial aspect is not just the agreement itself, but the context in which it occurs. Just a few days later, the Government approved a write-off of more than 17 billion euros of Catalan debt. This represents 22% of what Catalonia owed to the Autonomous Liquidity Fund (FLA).

This percentage exceeds initial forecasts and places Sánchez in an uncomfortable position, where the balance between economic policy and his political interests tilts toward the latter.

In exchange for this write-off and the transfer of competencies, PSOE seeks to appease internal tensions within its coalition and obtain the necessary support from the separatists to secure its weak parliamentary majority. This type of agreement calls into question the country's stability and raises serious questions about the future of territorial cohesion in Spain.

The main argument of the opponents is that the transfer of immigration competencies and the debt write-off go beyond what is reasonable, setting a dangerous precedent for future negotiations with other autonomous communities.

It is questioned whether these types of pacts not only weaken the constitutional framework but also reinforce separatist demands at the expense of national unity.

Despite the criticisms, Sánchez resists presenting the General State Budgets, a constitutional requirement that is being delayed while he advances in consolidating his support with the independence parties. What is at stake is not only Spain's political stability but the future of its constitutional framework and the foundations that sustain the country's unity.

The pact between PSOE and Junts reflects a risky political strategy, where concessions to the Catalan separatists may end up being a long-term burden. If Sánchez continues to prioritize his stay in power over respect for the Constitution, Spain could face an uncertain and polarized political future.