The farmers' union Unió de Pagesos achieved a decisive victory in the Catalan agricultural elections, securing 47% of the votes. Meanwhile, the regional government proposed a €2,500 annual salary increase for teachers, but trade unions rejected it. In Barcelona, a motion to establish a commission to combat speculative property purchases was rejected, while a 50% subsidy for school canteen costs was approved. The autonomous government presented a record education budget, and opposition right-wing parties announced they would propose amendments to the entire document.
Farmers' victory in elections
Unió de Pagesos, the main agricultural organization in Catalonia, obtained 47% of the votes in the elections to the Chamber of Agriculture. This confirms its dominant position in the region's agricultural sector.
Rejected pay raise for teachers
The Department of Education of the Catalan government proposed a €2,500 annual salary increase for teachers. Trade unions rejected the offer, demanding higher raises and the abolition of so-called 'sobrerratios'.
Increase in education budget
The education budget in Catalonia for 2026 amounts to €8 billion, representing a 14% increase compared to 2023. The funds are intended to cover, among other things, the planned salary increases.
Dispute over housing speculation
The Barcelona city council rejected a motion to establish a commission that would investigate ways to counteract the speculative purchase of properties. The Junts and Comuns groups vetoed the motion.
A series of key political and social events have taken place in Catalonia. The most significant are the results of the agricultural elections, in which the Unió de Pagesos union confirmed its position by securing 47% of the votes. These elections determine the representation of the agricultural sector in advisory bodies. Parallel disputes are ongoing in the education sector. The autonomous government proposed a €2,500 annual salary increase for teachers. Trade unions rejected this proposal, deeming it insufficient and demanding higher raises and the abolition of teachers' additional working hours, known as sobrerratios. Negotiations for a new collective agreement for teachers have reached a deadlock.Catalonia regained significant competencies in the field of education after the restoration of its autonomy statute in 1979. The region has its own education system, which includes Catalan as the primary language of instruction, distinguishing it from the rest of Spain. Against the backdrop of these negotiations, a record education budget of €8 billion has been announced. This represents a 14% increase compared to 2023 and is intended to fund, among other things, the planned salary increases. In Barcelona, the debate on housing policy is intensifying. The city council rejected a motion to establish a special commission that would develop measures to counteract the speculative purchase of properties. The motion failed due to opposition from the Junts and Comuns parties, which vetoed its adoption. Simultaneously, the council approved another resolution introducing a 50% subsidy on school canteen costs for primary school pupils. This decision aims to help families following the recent increase in the daily school lunch price to €7.83. Another instrument to combat residential tourism is a subsidy program for housing communities that amend their statutes to prohibit short-term rentals. In national politics, the ERC party registered a bill to create a state-regional consortium to manage state investments in Catalonia. The opposition People's Party and Vox announced they would submit amendments to the entire autonomous budget proposal prepared by the ruling left-wing coalition, criticizing, among other things, the "extreme policies" it contains.
Mentioned People
- Salvador Illa — Leader of the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), likely related to the regional budget.