Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced plans for a Conference of Presidents on June 6 in Barcelona, aimed at discussing a special funding model for Catalonia.

The surprise announcement, made during a parliamentary control session, has raised concerns among regional governments led by both the People's Party (PP) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

Leaders from 14 regional governments affiliated with the PP have described the initiative as a political maneuver to deflect attention from ongoing controversies surrounding Sánchez's administration, especially during a tumultuous period in the legislature.

Officials from Madrid, Aragon, and Galicia have suggested that the focus of the summit will be the 'singular financing' agreement established with Catalonia.

The Generalitat of Catalonia had previously indicated, during a summit in Santander last December, that it would be a suitable venue for future meetings, linking it to ongoing negotiations about financial autonomy between the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC).

Sánchez is expected to propose at the conference that this new model of financing is an 'open project' for any region interested in adopting similar arrangements.

However, governments from regions under the common regime have flatly opposed this idea, arguing that it could disrupt the system outlined in the Spanish Constitution, effectively leading to a 'confederation of asymmetrical republics.'

According to regulations surrounding the Conference of Presidents, the government is required to provide at least 20 days' notice for the meeting and should include a detailed agenda and pertinent documentation.

Despite the official announcement, many regions reported learning about the conference through media channels, rather than through formal notification, which officials believe undermines the process's legitimacy.

As it stands, the government now has just 48 hours to consult with all regional administrations to establish an agenda.

Programmatic demands surrounding the meeting have surfaced, with representatives from both major political groups emphasizing topics such as an urgent overhaul of the autonomous financing system, the ongoing migration crisis, and humanitarian concerns in regions like Ceuta and the Canary Islands.

Members of the PP have expressed skepticism and frustration over the timing of the summit, citing it as an effort by Sánchez's government to regain political momentum amid judicial and media scrutiny.

The initiative is particularly timely as it follows the recent transfer of all taxes collected in Catalonia to the regional government, as agreed in a bilateral commission meeting.

Additionally, complaints from ERC and Junts about a lack of tangible progress in transitioning Catalonia away from the common financing regime underscore potential disagreements heading into the conference.

Discussions regarding the 'Catalan quota,' a financing model pertinent to the singular financing agreement set in motion with ERC in exchange for support in Sánchez's investiture in 2023, have intensified.

Critics argue that such a model could diminish funds available through the Autonomous Solidarity Fund, pivotal for many regions.

Meanwhile, the debate around a proposed debt relief initiative raises further concerns, with accusations that it penalizes fiscally responsible communities while benefitting those with higher debt levels, such as Catalonia.

Upcoming demands from the regional leaders include a call for updates on the autonomous financing system, effective management of migration challenges, and equitable access to water resources across communities.

Each regional government appears poised to express their priority issues during the Barcelona meeting, highlighting the significance of this upcoming discussion in the broader context of Spain's political landscape.