Castilla y León Criticizes Government's Demographic Challenge Funding as Insufficient
Regional government argues that €23 million allocated is too late and inadequate to address population challenges.
The Junta of Castilla y León has expressed strong disapproval regarding the €23 million allocated by the Spanish government to tackle demographic challenges affecting various regions of the country.
Juan Carlos Suárez-Quiñones, the regional Minister of Environment, Housing, and Territorial Planning, labeled the funding as 'clearly insufficient' during his virtual participation in the Sectoral Conference on the Demographic Challenge.
The regional government argued that the approach taken by the national government places the burden of demographic policy on autonomous communities and local entities.
These institutions are already implementing various actions across their competencies geared towards ensuring essential services in rural areas, as well as generating infrastructure and economic opportunities to revitalize these regions.
However, the Junta emphasized that regional and municipal administrations cannot independently solve a 'state issue' such as the demographic challenge.
They stress the necessity of 'decided, transversal action' from the national government to effectively address this issue, which has been acknowledged by the existence of a Third Vice Presidency dedicated to demographic challenges.
During the conference, Suárez-Quiñones raised concerns about the demographic challenge strategy, stating that only general lines were available on the Transparency Portal, lacking specific information on its legal nature, content, and practical implications.
He noted that to date, regional governments have not been consulted in the strategy's formulation.
Moreover, the Minister criticized the Ministry for focusing more on the Country Action Plan, which has not involved the autonomous communities in its development, nor have the previously agreed working groups been established.
This was seen as a lack of cooperation in addressing the demographic issue.
Suárez-Quiñones also pointed out that apart from being 'insufficient', these funds arrive 'too late', making their execution 'almost unfeasible'.
He highlighted that this concern was previously raised in the 2024 Sectoral Conference, where it was emphasized that state resources should be transferred at the beginning of the year rather than after almost six months.
Finally, the Minister reiterated that addressing the demographic challenge requires more than just the government providing financial support, regardless of its amount.
It necessitates an integrated action that involves all governmental departments.
Juan Carlos Suárez-Quiñones, the regional Minister of Environment, Housing, and Territorial Planning, labeled the funding as 'clearly insufficient' during his virtual participation in the Sectoral Conference on the Demographic Challenge.
The regional government argued that the approach taken by the national government places the burden of demographic policy on autonomous communities and local entities.
These institutions are already implementing various actions across their competencies geared towards ensuring essential services in rural areas, as well as generating infrastructure and economic opportunities to revitalize these regions.
However, the Junta emphasized that regional and municipal administrations cannot independently solve a 'state issue' such as the demographic challenge.
They stress the necessity of 'decided, transversal action' from the national government to effectively address this issue, which has been acknowledged by the existence of a Third Vice Presidency dedicated to demographic challenges.
During the conference, Suárez-Quiñones raised concerns about the demographic challenge strategy, stating that only general lines were available on the Transparency Portal, lacking specific information on its legal nature, content, and practical implications.
He noted that to date, regional governments have not been consulted in the strategy's formulation.
Moreover, the Minister criticized the Ministry for focusing more on the Country Action Plan, which has not involved the autonomous communities in its development, nor have the previously agreed working groups been established.
This was seen as a lack of cooperation in addressing the demographic issue.
Suárez-Quiñones also pointed out that apart from being 'insufficient', these funds arrive 'too late', making their execution 'almost unfeasible'.
He highlighted that this concern was previously raised in the 2024 Sectoral Conference, where it was emphasized that state resources should be transferred at the beginning of the year rather than after almost six months.
Finally, the Minister reiterated that addressing the demographic challenge requires more than just the government providing financial support, regardless of its amount.
It necessitates an integrated action that involves all governmental departments.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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