Calviño puts pressure on Junts and the rest of Sánchez's partners from the EIB: "Budgets are essential to mobilize European funds"

Nadia Calviño, the former vice president of the Spanish Government, made her return to Madrid on Thursday to present the European Investment Bank’s activities in Spain, an institution she now presides over. While she refrained from commenting on the political situation in Spain and the challenges faced by the government she was once a part of due to the rejection of the Amnesty Law by Junts, she did express the need for pressure on both the Catalan independence party and the other partners of Pedro Sánchez.

“Budgets are crucial in mobilizing European funds,” emphasized Calviño. “They serve as the tool to channel all European funds. From 2021 to 2023, they have been instrumental in facilitating the transfer of European funds, and now as we enter the second phase, the budgets determine the framework for deploying these loans.”

Additionally, Calviño highlighted that the initial slice of the Autonomous Resilience Fund will amount to 3,600 million Euros, benefiting not only various communities but also Catalonia. The EIB has initiated all necessary procedures for this purpose.

In reality, budgets are not entirely indispensable in this process since the release of European funds depends more on the achievement of milestones rather than the approval of accounts. While the General State Budget (PGE) aids in the utilization and application of funds, it is not indispensable.

Nevertheless, Calviño intended to convey the message of urgency at a time when the Sánchez Government is far from certain about the approval of the budgets. Prior to the amnesty vote, the Treasury believed that the accounts’ approval was highly feasible. Although they still believe in its likelihood, the context has undergone significant change.

Calviño’s statement came after the Government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, affirmed the Executive’s intention to approve the budgets this quarter, stating, “As soon as possible.” In an interview with RNE, Alegría also expressed confidence in completing the legislative term, asserting that there are numerous plans for the remaining three and a half years. “Through dialogue, we have made considerable progress in enacting essential laws for citizens, and this will undoubtedly be our approach moving forward,” she added, as reported by EFE.