Guardiola and Vox carry out the first budgets in Extremadura and clear the way for the legislature

The agreement that caused a lot of controversy last summer after the May elections has now become the most successful agreement between PP and Vox. The relationship between the two parties in Extremadura is now harmonious, a far cry from the tensions that almost jeopardized María Guardiola’s inauguration as regional president. The parties have reached a mutual understanding, as evidenced by their approval of the accounts without any disagreements and in a friendly atmosphere. In fact, all the parliamentarians from both parties posed for a joint photo, congratulating each other at the end of the plenary session.

The fact that subsidies to employers and unions will largely be maintained in the first year, as proposed by the PP, has not led to any conflicts in this case. This issue has caused problems in other regions where Vox wields influence. The spokesperson for the Vox Parliamentary Group in the Assembly, Óscar Fernández Calle, emphasized that the approval of the general accounts demonstrates the strength of the coalition between his party and the PP in Extremadura. Both parties have agreed on all the votes during the two-day debate.

The opposition parties (PSOE and Unidas Podemos) presented 901 amendments, but none of them were accepted by both parties. One of the proposed amendments from the socialists was to increase the allocation for union centers. The Minister of the Treasury, Elena Manzano, declared that the opposition parties had no interest in improving the project and only sought to impose their model, which had been rejected by the people of Extremadura.

The budgets also include a significant tax reduction that will be implemented after the approval of the Decree-Law on tax measures last September. This reduction will affect personal income tax, registration tax, and inheritance and donation tax for certain kinship groups and inheritances up to 500,000 euros.

Three specific Vox proposals have been implemented, including allocating 500,000 euros in aid to births in rural areas and 100,000 euros in projects for the unity of Spain. The budgets also include provisions to improve the remuneration of research staff at the University of Extremadura.

The total amount of the accounts is 8,127 million euros, a 4.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. Interestingly, the bill passed in the second vote after a tie in the first vote due to technical issues faced by a PP deputy.

According to the Minister of the Treasury, these budgets prioritize equality and concrete measures to uphold this principle. They go beyond empty slogans and aim to ensure compliance with this fundamental right. The budgets also include an equality plan and an anti-harassment protocol with 24-hour victim care centers for the Institute of the Woman of Extremadura.