Parliament greenlights €1.3bn credit supplement to budget

The Catalan parliament has validated a new government decree for a second credit supplement to add to the government's budget.

The executive has not had a new budget since 2023, when the previous administration was in charge. However, in such an event, the past budget rolls over to the next year, meaning it has been extended to 2025.

Lawmakers approved a text presented by the Minister of Economy, Alícia Romero, which adds €1.3 billion to the spending plan.

In addition, the presidency minister, Albert Dalmau, predicted that "in less than 24 hours" a third credit supplement deal will be agreed.

Romero said the resources will be allocated to salary increases for civil servants, public service expenses in health and education, housing measures, and the plan to respond to US tariffs.

The decree was passed with 68 votes in favor from the ruling Socialists, and investiture partners ERC and Comuns. Meanwhile, Junts (35 MPs) abstained, while the rest of the groups voted against it (32).

Two weeks earlier, the parliament validated the first of the government's credit supplement decrees, with the same voting patterns. This first package of resources was worth €2.168 billion and will allow for the correct functioning of public services during the budget extension.