In Valencia, support from major business associations and individual businesspeople for the state’s draft of a new autonomous financing model has intensified the political debate. On 14 and 15 September 2026, representatives of associations in the industrial and services sectors publicly backed elements of the government’s draft, including the proposed allocation of around €3.67 billion to the Comunidad Valenciana. This stance contrasts with that of some regional political actors and has given the left-wing opposition fresh arguments.
The president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, has repeatedly stressed that he is in principle willing to negotiate the new model—but only “dort, wo corresponde”, that is, in the Council for Fiscal and Financial Policy (Consejo de Política Fiscal y Financiera) and within a legal framework, not in bilateral talks. He had already confirmed this position in a conversation with Spain’s finance minister Arcadi España on 15 June 2026.
Business representatives argue that the government’s package could stabilise the Valencian economy and bring additional funds in the short term to safeguard investment and services. Representatives of workers’ organisations and some opposition parties, however, consider the package inadequate because it does not fully address structural problems or the demand for an equalisation fund (fondo de nivelación).
The current situation—business backing for parts of the government’s model alongside political opposition—forces Pérez Llorca to clarify his position: he must explain whether he sees local businesspeople’s support as confirmation of his negotiating strategy, or whether he will continue to press for wider demands for additional equalisation mechanisms.
Three facts are important and substantiated for a sound assessment: Juanfran Pérez Llorca has been president of the Generalitat Valenciana since December 2025; the government has presented a financing model that allocates around €3.669 billion to the Comunidad Valenciana; and on 15 June 2026, Pérez Llorca met Finance Minister Arcadi España without reaching a final agreement. These facts form the basis of the ongoing debate in Valencia.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).