Junts has ruled out backing the new Catalan financing model in its current form, widening uncertainty over a plan that the Generalitat says is central to improving Catalonia's finances and public services. For residents and businesses, the dispute matters because the model is meant to affect how much revenue Catalonia keeps and how money is distributed to services such as health, education and transport.

Speaking on Monday, Junts spokesperson Josep Rius responded to calls from President Salvador Illa to support the agreement reached with ERC, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya. Rius said the model "doesn't exist yet" and argued that what has been outlined so far appears to "perpetuate the 'coffee for everyone' model", a reference to Spain's broad common financing system for the autonomous communities.

"It doesn't exist yet. What they seem to be proposing is to perpetuate the 'coffee for everyone' model."

According to Europa Press and statements also reported by ARA and El Nacional, Rius said it was "very difficult" to support something that has not yet been fully defined. He also argued that the proposal does not resolve Catalonia's fiscal deficit, one of Junts' main objections.

Pressure grows over a model tied to billions in revenue

The row follows public pressure from both Illa and ERC for Junts to join behind the financing plan. In remarks reported by Europa Press on 1 July, Illa asked Junts to be "up to the task" over the funding debate, after ERC demanded that he increase pressure to secure progress.

ARA previously reported that ERC had presented the proposed scheme as a form of "unique funding" for Catalonia and said it could mean almost €5 billion more, while maintaining the principle of ordinality, the idea that Catalonia should not lose its relative ranking in resources after redistribution. Junts has disputed that framing and has instead pressed for a Basque-style "concert" system, under which Catalonia would collect and manage taxes more directly.

  • Junts says the current proposal is not sufficiently defined.
  • The party argues it would preserve the existing common financing framework.
  • ERC has said the model could bring Catalonia nearly €5 billion more.
  • Junts is calling instead for a Basque-style economic concert.

That disagreement is politically significant because any reform of regional financing has direct consequences for the Generalitat's budget capacity. In practice, the outcome affects how much money is available for day-to-day public spending and investment, an issue closely watched by local councils, employers and public service users.

Junts says Catalonia should negotiate a different system

Rius urged Illa to negotiate a full economic concert rather than seek backing for the current outline, according to reporting by El Nacional. Junts has also signalled in earlier statements reported by ARA that it would table a full amendment to the agreed financing text if the proposal does not move towards that model.

The financing debate has been running alongside wider negotiations between the Catalan and Spanish governments over fiscal arrangements. ARA's review of the proposed regional financing overhaul noted that the previous model had already expired years earlier, adding to pressure for a replacement.

For now, Junts' position leaves Illa without support from a party he had publicly asked to validate the plan. The latest public line from Junts is that it will not endorse a financing model that, in its view, still lacks a final text and does not break with the existing system.

Reported by Mireia Esteve, Martina Alcobendas, Roger Palós, Andrea Pacha Röper, europapress.es, By Agencias, Roger Palós, Martina Alcobendas, Vicenç Pagès, audio.europapress.es, Núria Rius, Por Economía Digital / Agencia, Europa Press, Pedro Ruiz, Carlota Camps, elperiodicodecanarias.es, Roger Palós, Andrea Zamorano, Esther Vera, Aleix Moldes, Diari ARA.