Catalan president opens general policy debate with 'joint purchase' housing scheme

The general policy debate got underway in the Catalan parliament on Tuesday, with president Salvador Illa announcing a new "joint purchase" scheme for homes. 

The scheme involves the government helping citizens over the age of 40 who are unable to afford a mortgage purchase their homes.

Illa pointed out that it's a new, unprecedented measure, which activates two articles of the Civil Code of Catalonia.

It will allow the administration to acquire partial ownership of the property while enabling the individual to continue living there as an owner for 50 years.

The programme will be backed by an initial €100 million in funding.

Additionally, the president announced the creation of a €25 million fund to assist vulnerable people facing the threat of eviction.

Through this fund, authorities could purchase the home of the person facing eviction, allowing them to remain in the property.

The parliamentary debate comes at a sensitive time for housing across Spain, with protests across the country ongoing this week after the high-profile eviction of an 87-year-old wheelchair user, prompting the Spanish government to present two new decree laws on Tuesday to strengthen protection against evictions.

Regulating status of teachers

The general policy debate also comes at a sensitive time for the education sector.

The last academic year saw numerous all-out strikes and protests, while the first day of school this year also saw a strike among teachers. 

Illa has proposed to parliamentary groups that the status of teachers as public authorities be regulated.

The head of the executive branch defended the role of the teachers and proposed "strengthening their social standing and protection in the performance of their duties."

The president did not specify the exact method for implementing this regulation and invited parliamentary groups to discuss the matter in order to "reach a consensus on the best way to do it."

"'Listen to the teacher', we have all been told that at some point. It is a sound piece of advice, and ensuring it is followed is the right thing to do," the president declared.

New financing model

The Socialist also warned that the debate on the new financing model "cannot drag on indefinitely."

"We must decide whether we want to lose €4.7 billion for our healthcare and education systems or gain them," he said, calling on the parliamentary groups to show a "willingness to compromise and assume responsibility."

Illa maintained that Catalonia "has fulfilled its responsibility" in the face of an outdated financing model and the "lack of courage" to reform it.

Given that this new financing model will require approval in Congress, Illa addressed the parliamentary groups: "Love for the country is measured by the willingness to compromise and assume responsibility when the moment of truth arrives."

Although he did not mention Junts by name, Carles Puigdemont's party has so far rejected the financing deal agreed upon with ERC and insists on the need for a separate fiscal agreement.

Democracy conference

Catalonia will host a Conference of Regions for Democracy in November, as Illa also announced during his speech.

The president expressed his intention to bring together governments and territories from around the world that are "committed to democracy, the rule of law, and European values."

Illa did not provide details regarding which regions and countries would attend the government-led conference, but he highlighted the need to build "a great democratic alliance" to demonstrate that democrats "are the majority."