Legislative updates in Catalonia and Valencia

The Statutory Guarantees Council has unanimously validated the new Chamber Law in Catalonia, confirming its compatibility with the Constitution and the Statute. The ruling addresses concerns raised by parliamentary groups regarding the expansion of voluntary membership seats, known as ‘silver chairs,’ in chambers such as Barcelona. The Council determined that the new configuration responds objectively to the diversity of the business fabric, noting that two-thirds of seats—44 out of 60—will continue to be elected through business suffrage.

In the Valencian Community, new laws regarding the 2026 budget and administrative organization have officially entered into force. These regulations formalize the term ‘national priority,’ a concept included following negotiations with the Vox party. The term appears multiple times in the budget annex and seven times within the Inclusive Social Services Law. This inclusion aims to prioritize public resource allocation to individuals with verifiable and lasting ties to the Valencian Community, a move that has prompted potential unconstitutionality challenges from the central government and local political groups.