The PP reached an agreement on Thursday afternoon with its former government partner, Vox, to renew the coalition in Extremadura. Both forces have agreed on 74 measures, with a special focus on immigration, with the Popular Party responding to all the demands and arguments of the far right on this point. The new government aims, among other objectives, to return unaccompanied migrant minors to their countries of origin, give priority to nationals in access to social housing and other social benefits and aid. Both parties have agreed to give the ultras a ministry with the rank of vice presidency for Deregulation, Social Services and Family and another for Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Environment, as well as an autonomously appointed senator. In return, Vox commits to approving the four annual Budgets throughout the legislature. These are some of the measures included in the pact.
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Immigration. The Popular Party assumes Vox’s most extreme demands in the fight against immigration, the great banner of Abascal’s formation, with measures ranging from the return of unaccompanied minor immigrants to the elimination of financial aid for NGOs assisting foreigners, the commitment not to enable more places in reception centers, or the prohibition of the use of the burka and niqab in public spaces. As a starting point, the new government will “oppose by all legal, judicial and political means any mechanism for the distribution of illegal immigrants, both adults and minors.” They will not allocate a single euro intended to facilitate their entry or reception in Extremadura. But the pact does not stop there, and also includes the commitment to work “actively to return unaccompanied minors to their countries of origin” through “agreements with the countries of origin, which facilitate and expedite repatriations and effective returns of minors with their parents.”
They also commit to creating an Administrative Unit for Verification of Benefit Fraud and the Register and Effective Residence to deepen control of immigrants’ registrations and to eliminate the application of the Program for the Teaching of Arabic Language and Moroccan Culture. These measures have a compliance deadline set for next September.
Squatting. Another point included in Vox’s usual political agenda focuses on measures against squatting. Specifically, the parties advocate for “the firm application of express eviction” of squatted homes and to develop autonomous mechanisms to support victims “to guarantee the real effectiveness of these procedures.” In addition, “immediate legal advice will be guaranteed to affected owners and neighborhood communities.” The pact specifies that “access to all public aid, subsidies and benefits will be inspired by the principle of national priority, which seeks the priority allocation of public resources to those who maintain a real, lasting and verifiable connection with the territory.”
Health and social aid. A “plan to improve Extremadura’s healthcare” is promoted, with which “a comprehensive plan to improve Extremadura’s health system will be launched, aimed at strengthening care quality, reducing waiting times, optimizing available resources and guaranteeing accessible and quality care for Spaniards.” The word immigrants is not mentioned here. It also includes the “exclusion from access to structural social benefits and services for those in irregular situations, limiting their access exclusively to cases of vital emergency.”
An additional allocation of 500 million annually in the Budgets from this year itself is agreed upon, which will be consolidated in all subsequent annual Accounts. It mentions, without specifying, “extraordinary surgical campaigns, extended hours, coordinated referrals and public-private collaboration” and a four-year plan to hire 1,500 new health professionals. Regarding care for the elderly, it speaks of “more places in residences and day centers,” without quantifying.
Taxes. The pact contemplates progressively lowering the IRPF in the first two autonomous brackets, by 0.25% each year, until reaching 1% at the end of the legislature. Inheritance and Donations are extended “with the possibility of extending the 500,000 euro reduction in the tax base in favor of nephews.” A general reduction of autonomous fees and a reduction of the Tax on Documented Legal Acts are added.
Housing. A system of access to protected housing and social rent “inspired by the principle of national priority, adapted to current legislation, which seeks the priority allocation of public resources” will be established. In addition, “the construction of at least 3,500 protected homes will be promoted throughout the legislature through public-private collaboration formulas,” but for access to protected housing and social rent, “a system (…) inspired by the principle of national priority” will be established with “a requirement of connection (…) in Extremadura” of a minimum of 10 years for purchase and 5 for rent.
