Call to Reassess Subsidies and Tax Benefits

Elisenda Alamany, leader of ERC in Barcelona City Council, has launched a debate on reforming the city’s economic model by questioning continued public support for sectors that generate high revenue but pay low wages. The party will propose in September’s Economy Commission meetings that tax benefits and subsidies be withdrawn from companies in such sectors. Alamany described the current model as one that 'fills the pockets of a few' while offering precarious employment. She argued that policy should instead promote strategic sectors that contribute to sustainable prosperity across Catalonia.

Data-Driven Approach to Sectoral Reform

To guide this shift, ERC is demanding that Mayor Jaume Collboni’s executive produce an annual report on wealth generation by economic sector. This analysis would be developed jointly with the Generalitat, Idescat (the statistical institute of Catalonia), and the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB), ensuring it reflects metropolitan-wide economic conditions. The tourism industry was cited as a key example. Despite its significant contribution to GDP, ERC says it offers an average annual salary of €26,000, €11,000 below the average in other sectors.

We want to know who is gaining and how much they are gaining from the current economic model; how subsidized some economic sectors are that do not offer prosperity to our country.

Push for Industrial Revival

As an alternative, ERC advocates for rebuilding industrial capacity in the city. Alamany pointed to stronger regional economies like the Basque Country, where industry plays a larger role, suggesting Barcelona could follow a similar path to create better-paid, stable jobs. The initiative will be pursued both at city level and in the Parliament of Catalonia, marking a coordinated effort to reshape economic priorities.

While no immediate changes are expected, the proposal sets the stage for a broader political discussion about equity, sustainability, and long-term growth in Barcelona’s economy.

Reported by beteve.cat, betevé.