The Basque Government presents Budgets of 13 108 million euros for the “economic recovery”

The Governing Council has approved the Basque budget project of 2022, Which amounts 13 108 million euros, which represents an increase of 6% compared to 2021. The Accounts are presented as I challenge the economic relaunch of the Basque Country, in key of public investment. This is the largest budget project in the history of the Basque Government, exceeding 13 billion euros for the first time.

At a press conference after the Governing Council held this Tuesday, the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Basque Government, Pedro Azpiazu, has explained that “the budget is proposed as a recovery of the Basque Country and will be used for public investment“.

He has also urged to take advantage of the “unprecedented window of opportunity“which involves the suspension of fiscal rules by the European Union, in reference to the elimination in 2022 of the deficit and debt targets.

Thus, next year will go to investments 1,605 million, 50% more than in 2021, and of them 165 will be dedicated to an inter-institutional investment plan together with the provincial councils. There is also a “firm and clear commitment” to R&D, to which 588 million are allocated, almost 10% more than in 2021.

The covid fund will be reduced from 543 million this year to 349 million in 2021. The endowment for Education and Health is maintained but the remaining 194 million, “which could have been earmarked for amortization (of debt) are due to the decision of this Government to extend the spending capacity“, which rises to 888 million, 7.6% more, according to Azpiazu.

The objective of the Accounts is to recover the economic recovery of the Basque Country and the jobs lost due to the pandemic, according to the Minister of Economy. “It is a great challenge and we have a great responsibility“, has underlined.

The budget project will be taken to the Basque Parliament this Friday and next week the councilors will appear to explain the main items of their respective departments.

Afterwards, the counselor will meet with opposition groups that “have shown willingness to maintain open lines of communication with the Government. “The expected date for approval will be the December 23th.

Distribution by Departments

Health it will take most of it with 4352 million (more than 4%). Most are for Osakidetza, which receives 3,333, that is, 116 million more, to which are added 106 million in investments. Pharmacy spending remains stable and vaccine spending rises to 19 million (5 million more).

Education will have 3,235 million (4.1%). An increase of 41 million is included for investments and 61 million for personnel and operating expenses, a chapter that amounts to 1738 million, due to the fact that the measures put in place by the pandemic are maintained. Education up to 3 years takes 30 million, the Haurreskolak Consortium, 60 million, and the UPV / EHU, 356 million.

Work and Employment it will have 936 million (0.8% less) and contemplates a 3% increase in the amounts of the RGI and 10% in the PCV; while Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment will have 777 million (18.8% more) with budget increases in industrial development (41 million more), technology (19 million more), digital transformation (10 million more), agriculture (8.6 million more) and environment (7 , 7 million more). In addition, the investment budget of SPRI, Sprilur and Technology Parks grows to 58 million, that is, 40 more.

For Security 725.1 million are reserved (4.8% more) and for Territorial Planning, Housing and Transportation 564.4 million euros, which represents an increase of 4% without taking into account the 56.4 million for the Basque “Y” and the Southern Railway Bypass. In this Department, the Infrastructure and Transportation Management program stands out, with an increase of 40 million and Housing with 10 more.

Equality, Justice and Social Policies will have 528.6 million, 14, 5% more. Emakunde it will have a budget of 7.4 million and the Development Cooperation Agency of 50.2. 42.5 million are also earmarked for AES and for aid against energy poverty, while the management of the prisons recently transferred to the Basque Country takes 70 million.

Of the 322 million Culture and Language Policy (11.2% more) 161 are for EiTB (12.6 million euros more) and 46 for HABE, while Public Governance and Self-Government will have a budget of 139.2 million (7.5% more).

Economy and Finance it will have 128.6 million (42.7% more), of which 50 will be for the Finkatuz Fund; and Tourism, Commerce and Consumption will have 52.1 million (10.2% more): 22.4 for Tourism and Hospitality, 19.9 for Commerce and close to 6 for Kontsumobide.

Presidency will have a game of 35.5 million (9.6% more), of which 1.1 will be to open a delegation from Euskadi in Paris.