The Govern has committed to working “tirelessly” to ensure that Volkswagen maintains the Seat brand and that the workforce at the Martorell plant is not reduced. This was assured this Saturday by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, who admits that the future of the company is a “very important” matter for the economy of Catalonia. Romero recalls that it is not just about protecting the direct jobs at Martorell, but also the more than 3,000 companies that provide auxiliary services to the automotive industry.
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“It is a historic brand that represents a lot in Catalonia and Spain,” says Romero, “and therefore, we will try to fight and guarantee these jobs, ensure that this plant remains one of the most competitive in Europe and, above all, that the brand, which has an emotional aspect and these things are important, does not disappear.”
Minister Romero urges Junts to negotiate changes in financing with the Treasury
The economic head of the Govern also admits that the electrification of the automobile has caused “a certain crisis” in the sector, but sets the goal that Seat remains a brand within the Volkswagen Group.
Alícia Romero also spoke again this Saturday about the project to reform regional financing approved by the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council on Friday, which had the support of Catalonia and the Canary Islands. Romero asks Junts to be open to negotiating with the Treasury the incorporation of amendments to the bill that the Council of Ministers plans to approve. Carles Puigdemont’s party, for now, maintains that it would propose a total amendment to the proposal.
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“We have a window of opportunity that we have not had in the last 14 years and, therefore, I think we all have to be responsible,” defends Romero, who adds that there is “a clamor in Catalonia” about the importance of having more financial resources to fund public services.
The Minister of Economy has also urged the Ministry of the Treasury to negotiate with Junts, despite relations currently being stalled. “The central government knows that if it wants to incorporate Junts into the agreement it has to offer them something,” and she added that she hopes the department led by Arcadi España will dialogue with the Catalan group about incorporating the increase in the cost of living into the model or about some improvement in the transfer of the IRPF.
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