catalan vice-president

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Budget for 2017 passes first hurdle but gets little support from CUP

December 20, 2016 06:49 PM | ACN

The support of 2 MPs from radical left pro-independence CUP, the main partner of governing cross party 'Junts Pel Sï', allowed the budget for 2017 to overcome the appeals presented by the oppoistion groups in the Parliament. Catalan Vice President and Minister for Economy and Tax Office, Oriol Junqueras, defended this Tuesday the budget for 2017. According to Junqueras, the draft especially focuses on “fiscal justice” and social expenditure, which he defined as fundamental pillars for economic growth. “We have many difficulties and many more are being put in our way, but it is clear that our economy and our society are capable of making it through”, he stated on the first day of the two-day session during which the Parliament will vote on the budget for 2017. This is the best budget possible”, he assured in November, right after presenting the bill to the Parliament’s Bureau and emphasised the social orientation of the draft budget. Indeed, more than 74% of the total bill for 2017 is allocated for social expenditure and €1.1 billion more has been allocated for this purpose in comparison to the budget for 2015, which had to be extended for 2016.

Junqueras to advance pro-independence referendum depending on Spanish decisions towards Catalonia

December 9, 2016 02:28 PM | ACN

The pro-independence referendum in Catalonia, expected to take place in September next year, may be accelerated depending on Spain’s attitude towards Catalonia. “If the Spanish Government accelerates decisions against the Catalan institutions, we should find a solution somehow”, Catalan Vice President and Minister for Economy and Tax Office, Oriol Junqueras stated this Friday. In an interview with Catalunya Ràdio, Junqueras also admitted to “not having a clue” whether Spain’s executive will offer a political solution for Catalonia soon and lamented that the supposed willingness to dialogue expressed by the Spanish Government started by proceeding with the prosecution against Parliament’s President, Carme Forcadell, for allowing the Chamber to debate on independence.