The Government undertakes to work "tirelessly" so that Volkswagen maintains the Seat brand

The Government has committed to working “tirelessly” so that Volkswagen maintains the Seat brand and so that the workforce at the Martorell plant is not reduced. This was stated this Saturday by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Alícia Romero, who admits that the future of the company is a “very important” issue for the economy of Catalonia. Romero remembers that it is not only about protecting the direct jobs of Martorell, but also the more than 3,000 companies that offer auxiliary services to the automotive industry.

“It is a historical brand that represents a lot in Catalonia and Spain,” says Romero, “and, therefore, we will try to fight and guarantee these jobs, guarantee that this plant continues to be one of the most competitive in Europe and, above all, that the brand, which has an emotional point and these things are important, does not disappear.”

The Government's economic manager also admits that the electrification of automobiles has caused “a certain crisis” in the sector, but she sets the goal of Seat continuing to be another Volkswagen Group brand.

Alícia Romero also spoke again this Saturday about the regional financing reform project that the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council approved on Friday and which had the support of Catalonia and the Canary Islands. Romero asks Junts to open up to negotiating with the Treasury on the incorporation of amendments to the bill that the Council of Ministers plans to approve. Carles Puigdemont's party, for now, maintains that it would propose an entire amendment to the proposal.

“We have a window of opportunity that we have not had in the last 14 years and, therefore, it seems to me that we all have to be responsible,” defends Romero, who adds that there is “a clamor in Catalonia” about the importance of having more financial resources to pay for public services.

The Minister of Economy has also urged the Ministry of Finance to negotiate with Junts, despite the fact that relations are currently paralyzed. “The central government knows that if it wants to incorporate Junts into the agreement it has to offer it something,” and added that it hopes that the department led by Arcadi España will dialogue with the Catalan group about incorporating the increased cost of living model into the model or about some improvement in the transfer of personal income tax.