President Seeks Balance Between Rights
On Monday 7 September 2026, the eve of a fresh wave of teacher strikes marking the start of the school year, President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa appealed for a "pause" in industrial action. Speaking on Catalunya Ràdio from the Palau de la Generalitat, Illa stressed that the right to strike must be compatible with the right to education. He urged striking unions to consider a temporary truce, saying, "We must respect both rights."
€100 Million Plan to Cool Schools
Illa announced that the government will soon unveil a comprehensive programme to install air conditioning in public schools across Catalonia. The initiative forms part of the "Fons Actualitza Escoles", a €100 million investment plan running from 2026 to 2028 aimed at upgrading 2,530 public educational centres in 723 municipalities, excluding Barcelona due to its special education management status. According to data cited by Illa and confirmed by upday.com, more than 26.5% of Catalan schools were built before 1960, making infrastructure renewal urgent. Funds will be distributed based on student numbers and building age. The plan also includes retrofitting nursing homes for the elderly with climate control systems.
Government to Consider Legal Action Over Hate Speech
Illa confirmed the government is assessing whether to file legal complaints against Sílvia Orriols, leader of Aliança Catalana and mayor of Ripoll, over recent social media posts. The comments followed a fatal stabbing in Manresa involving two minors. Illa stated that when behaviour violates the legal framework and promotes hate, "the Government will act." This follows a July 2026 decision by the Catalan Parliament’s Bureau to issue Orriols a formal public reprimand for what it deemed "systematic harassment" of ERC MP Najat Driouech, a Muslim woman, over her religious attire.
Catalonia’s Stance on Migration and Solidarity
On the issue of unaccompanied migrant minors arriving via Ceuta, Illa reaffirmed Catalonia’s solidarity but called for a realistic assessment of hosting capacity. "We will not go with our heads in the clouds nor will we be naive, but we will act with solidarity," he said, noting Catalonia has been at the forefront of hosting such minors in recent years.
Rebuke to Madrid’s Ayuso
Illa sharply criticised Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso after she claimed Madrilenians would not pay for "the nationalist party of four nobodies." Responding live on air, Illa retorted: "Do not mess with Catalonia and do not mess with the Catalans. There are no nobodies. There are hardworking people who get to work." He also challenged Ayuso’s remarks about Catalonia using public funds for "official residences and all kinds of shacks," referencing the Madrid government’s controversial purchase and subsequent sale of a luxury penthouse for official use.
Primary sources: patrimoni.gencat.cat. Reported by en.ara.cat, ACN, upday.com, eldiario.es, ABC, elmon.cat, Diari ARA.
