Brussels – On Thursday, Alfonso Rueda, the president of the Xunta de Galicia, represented the 17 Spanish autonomous communities in a call for a more significant role for regions within the European Union and a policy framework that counters centralization.
During his address in Galician at the European Committee of the Regions, a consultative body of the EU, he emphasized that “the 17 Spanish autonomous communities, together with their local and regional entities, share a unified stance: European priorities should be more adaptable, straightforward, and should steer clear of centralization.”
He elaborated that historical experience demonstrates that centralization does not lead to a more efficient allocation of funds. Rueda made these remarks during a discussion with Raffaele Fitto, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms.
According to Rueda, Spain’s local and regional entities possess “the experience, analytical expertise, and presence that are vital for effective participation in the European Union.” He underscored that while the current system is open to reform, it must not veer towards centralization.
Following his presentation, Rueda submitted a document to Fitto, which was collaboratively prepared by the Spanish autonomous communities. The document asserts that “the future of funding should involve local entities actively rather than relegating them to the role of mere observers in cohesion policy,” as stated by Rueda, a member of the PP party.
“We seek a more prominent role and have proven our capability to achieve this through results that support our vision for building a better Europe together,” Rueda concluded. At the 164th plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, he was named one of its vice presidents and appointed as the coordinator for the Spanish delegation. (February 20)
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