The Catalan Parliament has validated an increase in the tourist tax without delaying its implementation, sparking a political standoff among the ruling coalition parties. The decision, primarily supported by ERC and Comuns, has led to tensions within the government, particularly between Esquerra Republicana and Comuns, over the timing of the tax's activation. Despite initial agreements to postpone the hike until October, the Parliament rejected the delay, leading to its immediate enforcement starting May 1.
The government, led by Salvador Illa, faced a surprising setback when Junts and Comuns voted against the proposed delay, leaving the PSC and ERC isolated in their efforts to push the activation date to October. In response, the government has announced plans to introduce a new decree next Tuesday to retroactively postpone the tax increase, aiming to align with the original October timeline. This move has been met with criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the government of mismanagement and lack of parliamentary support.
Junts per Catalunya and the PP have called for the repeal of the tourist tax hike, criticizing the government's reliance on decrees to bypass parliamentary scrutiny. Mònica Sales, Junts' spokesperson, and Juan Fernández, the PP's parliamentary spokesperson, have both voiced their opposition, highlighting the lack of consultation with the tourism sector and the broader parliamentary body. The controversy underscores the challenges facing the Catalan government in maintaining cohesion among its coalition partners and securing legislative victories.
Amid the political turmoil, the tourist tax issue has become a focal point of debate, reflecting broader tensions within Catalonia's political landscape. The government's swift response to the parliamentary vote demonstrates its determination to implement the tax increase as planned, despite opposition from within and outside its coalition. As the situation unfolds, the effectiveness of the government's strategy and its ability to navigate the complex political environment remain to be seen.
Medical professionals at Vigo's Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital faced an unprecedented medical challenge on May 1st when a 24-week pregnant patient was admitted with an acute aortic syndrome. The patient suffered from a type A aortic dissection, considered the most severe variant of this condition,...
The Madrid city government, led by the Popular Party (PP) of José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has approved a Vox proposal requiring social workers to inform women seeking abortions about potential psychological consequences, including depression, alcoholism, anorexia, and bulimia—a cluster of...
Spanish pop sensation Ana Mena has stunned her social media followers with a candid Instagram post announcing a career pause and personal transformation. The 28-year-old singer shared a nude photograph accompanied by a deeply personal letter explaining her need to step back after nine years...
Ubisoft has officially unveiled Vantage Studios, the new subsidiary formed in partnership with Tencent that will be responsible for the creative development of major franchises including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. The announcement comes more than six months after the French...
A political dispute has erupted in Valencia's regional parliament following controversial remarks by Vicent Mascarell, the number two official in the Valencian PSOE party, regarding President Carlos Mazón's planned attendance at the 9 d'Octubre civic procession. The conflict began when...
