Catalonia pushes for direct control of AP‑7 highway works

ERC leader Oriol Junqueras has proposed creating a new public investment vehicle – the Societat Mercantil d'Inversions de Catalunya – so the Generalitat can take over the execution of maintenance and capacity‑expansion works on the AP‑7 motorway. The plan calls for an immediate bilateral meeting with the Spanish central government after the summer to formalise the vehicle and assign a management contract for the AP‑7, while the State would retain ownership and financing. Junqueras cited the latest state audit showing Catalonia received only 8.6 % of the regionalisable investment budget for 2025 as justification for greater fiscal sovereignty.

President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa described the proposal as “welcome” but urged a calm, measured debate. He reiterated the need to fund the highway sustainably, comply with EU environmental directives and improve safety after recent incidents on other routes. The new entity would operate alongside existing management contracts on the N‑260 and N‑II and could partly replace the blocked Consorci d'Inversions. No final decision has been made; discussions are expected in the coming months.