Road to Recovery

In Spain, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) presents a significant opportunity to boost the nation's economic recovery and development. However, we have serious doubts about the well-spending of the money, as confirmed by official reports of European institutions. The Spanish government has to include all local authorities and to allocate funds based on clear and objective criteria, not based on partisan preferences. Over €163 bn are distributed for key sectors such as renewable energy, digitalisation, and the green economy, therefore, it is essential that the allocation of these funds benefits all regions of Spain. The RRF money is money from the people of Europe for the people of Spain and all Spaniards have the right to know how their money is spent. All Spaniards deserve to be better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions.

Therefore, we are looking forward to visiting Barcelona to gain first-hand insights into the distribution of RRF funds and to identify which local authorities have not been included in the fund-allocation process by the government. Our primary objective is to emphasize the importance of allocating RRF funds equitably and transparently, ensuring that every region and community has an equal opportunity to harness this critical resource for Spain's post-pandemic recovery.

The creation of the European Recovery funds, Next Generation EU, was a priority for the European People's Party in the European Parliament. These funds were created to emerge stronger from the pandemic by transforming our economies, making them more resilient with the creation of quality jobs; making our industry more competitive and innovative, with solid business fabric and stronger health systems. It mobilised 750 billion euros, of which 140 billion were allocated to Spain, a contribution never seen before.

The lacked of effectiveness, dialogue and transparency of Sánchez provoked that the funds did not arrive to the real economy. Another socialist mistake that Spaniards are paying for. The European People's Party is working to ensure that these funds reach those who really need them.

As EPP representatives at regional and local levels, we are resolutely committed to fostering collaborative governance for the effective implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. European money should be used to improve the lives of our citizens, develop the economy and the resilience of our villages, towns, cities and regions. This cannot be achieved without local and regional authorities. In Spain, we have many signals about the omission of local and regional governments in the design and implementation of the RRF funds. Discussion is needed to eliminate such abuses in the future. Our collective goal remains a broad and impactful recovery that leaves no region behind, and we call for constructive reforms to ensure optimal use of resources and opportunities for all communities.