Imanol Pradales has spoken loud and clear about the renewal of taxes on banks and energy companies. The Lehendakari has stressed that if these levies become permanent taxes, as the Government has announced, “we will demand that they be included in the Basque agreement”, which currently has no powers over temporary rates.
During his speech at the Metafuturo 2024 Forum, organized by Atresmedia at the Ateneo de Madrid, the leader of the Basque Executive stressed that “tax sales and not the dividends that companies have It is not the most appropriate way to encourage the industrial development of weaving in a country”.
It must be remembered that the Government temporarily created these taxes on banking and energy in 2022 after the uncontrolled increase in inflation as a result of the War in Ukraine. In this sense, Pradales has defended that these taxes should remain under the control of the Basque Treasury if they become permanent. The agreement does not give powers over temporary taxes to the Basque Government, but it does over permanent taxes.
“If that scenario occurs, and it is very likely that it could occur, We are going to demand the agreement of these taxes so that, within the concert regime, we can do what is most convenient, taking into account that there is an industrial fabric that generates a lot of employment and that has to address large decarbonization and future investment projects.
Likewise, asked about the role of the Basque Country in the rebirth of European industry, Pradales noted that “we are in a very important moment” and at the same time, “we are in a very critical position.” On the one hand, he has outlined the connectivity problems that the region has because there is “no trace of high speed”. At the same time, he has pointed out the need for a greater international connection with the airport, where this “first level” connectivity is also lacking, thinking about transoceanic capacity. All of this, according to the Basque president, “affects the lower capacity for competitive development for Euskadi.”
Talgo and Sidenor
In another vein, Imanol Pradales fully trusts that Talgo and Sidenor reach an agreement for the sale of 30% of their capital. The Lehendakari has stressed that thanks to this acquisition, the train manufacturer will have “stability and a future”, which is why he has committed that the Basque Government will “encourage it to be produced.”
The leader of the Basque Executive has stressed that they will row in favor of closing an operation so that Talgo can “have an exit because it is a strategic company in the railway sector”while emphasizing the “proven track record” of José Antonio Jainaga, president of Sidenor.
“I want to trust that Sidenor and those who are interested in selling their position can reach an agreement and from there we can articulate industrial support that strengthens the company in Euskadi and that also gives a horizon of stability and future to this industrial area, which is very important,” Pradales pointed out.
At the same time, the Lehendakari recalled that the train manufacturer currently has hundreds of workers in Euskadi, added to an important chain of Basque suppliers and more than 4,000 million “in sales that it has to resolve in the coming years with relevant contracts in Germany, Spain and other countries”.
For these reasons, Pradales continued, “We are interested in promoting the establishment of this industrial companythat has an industrial plan for the future and I think we are interested in having an empowered industrial partner, an industrial entrepreneur who provides guarantees.”
About Ayuso’s ‘no’ to Pedro Sánchez
When asked about the refusal of the Madrid president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, to meet with the president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, at the Moncloa Palace, the Lehendakari stressed that “when one has a disagreement it is better to talk about it face to face.” “,
“It is always better than no dialogue or dialogue of the deaf and, therefore, when one has a disagreement it is better to speak it face to face and each one defend their position. From dialogue, common interests are built, From the dialogue of the deaf only tension is built“he added.
In this sense, Pradales has pointed out that “when one dialogues, one has the ability to negotiate and defend one’s own interests.” “And therefore, to the extent that I have the opportunity as Lehendakari to dialogue with the President of the Government to defend the interests of Euskadi, I will do so and I will attend,” he concluded.
Pradales met with Pedro Sánchez on September 20 as part of the round that the President of the Government is having with the regional leaders. In their meeting, the Lehendakari conveyed to the Head of the Executive a new “realistic” calendar to “accelerate” the transfer to Euskadi of the 29 pending transfers and he trusted that the Statute will be fully fulfilled in 2025. The Basque high-speed train and the need to accelerate its arrival in Euskadi were also the topics discussed at the meeting.
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