President Juanfran Pérez Llorca presented the new regional accounts on Friday, approved by the Consell's plenary and sent to Les Corts Valencianes. The budget project increases by 1.014 million euros compared to the previous fiscal year. The head of the Consell emphasized the importance of dialogue for the approval of the accounts, calling them a tool 'at the service of all citizens,' and highlighted that eight out of every ten euros are allocated to social policies.
The Conselleria de Sanitat (Healthcare Department) will receive the largest budget allocation, exceeding 9.400 million euros for the first time, representing 36% of the total. Plans include strengthening Primary Care, increasing healthcare personnel, and enhancing pharmaceutical benefits, with over 1.500 million euros allocated. Among the healthcare infrastructure projects, the new hospital in Ontinyent and the expansions of Orihuela and Clínico de València hospitals are highlighted, aiming to 'guarantee quality healthcare for all Valencians'.
The Conselleria d'Educació, Cultura i Universitats (Education, Culture, and Universities Department) sees the largest increase, with a historic allocation of 7.749 million euros. This investment will position the Comunitat Valenciana as the third autonomous region in per-student investment, with 7.600 euros per student. The budget incorporates commitments to the educational community and unions, including infrastructure improvements through the Edificant Plan, the Climatization Plan, and the Recole Plan, totaling over 372 million euros.
Policies for housing, youth, and families also receive a boost. Housing will have nearly 350 million euros to stimulate supply. The Valencian Youth Institute (IVAJ) will receive 36 million euros, and a sports infrastructure plan is being launched with 20 million euros. The Conselleria de Serveis Socials, Família i Infància (Social Services, Family, and Childhood Department) increases its budget to 2.732 million euros, aiming to assist 200,000 dependent individuals.
The budget also addresses actions related to the DANA (Mediterranean storm), allocating 55 million euros to expand the public housing stock for affordable rent and 25 million euros for aid to affected families. 67 million euros are designated for improving forest tracks, and 19.6 million euros for repairing regional roads. Additionally, 14 million euros are included for the Buseo reservoir and 9 million euros for floodable parks in the metropolitan area of Valencia.
The Minister of Finance, José Antonio Rovira, framed the budget within the context of regional underfunding, stating the Generalitat's debt stands at 63.934 million euros. Rovira defended the deficit reduction, which has decreased from 3.777 million in 2022 to an anticipated 2.373 million in 2025. New tax reductions were also announced, including a decrease in the general rate for Onereous Property Transfers from 10% to 9%, and a 25% bonus on Inheritance and Gift Tax for siblings, uncles, and nephews.
The parliamentary process in Les Corts will reveal if amendments introduce changes or more localized details for the province of Alicante. The specific healthcare reference in Orihuela is a key point, but the effective distribution of investments in education, housing, dependency care, roads, youth, and social policies remains to be seen.
