Spain's Xunta de Galicia set to acquire AP‑9 highway and foreign work‑permit powers

The Spanish Congress approved an organic law transferring the Atlantic Highway (AP‑9), a 200‑km route linking northern and southern Galicia, from central ownership to the regional Xunta. The vote rejected amendments proposed by the PP in the Senate, leaving the original text negotiated by the PSOE, Sumar and the BNG intact. While most parties opposed the PP’s stance, the legislation now requires the State and Galicia to negotiate concrete transfer terms, with concerns that the hand‑over could entail up to €4 billion of future liabilities for the autonomous government.

Concurrently, Galician President Alfonso Rueda said negotiations are ongoing to transfer the executive competence for issuing foreign residence work permits to the Xunta. He expects a pact to be finalised within weeks, stressing the need for adequate resources and faster, more effective administration compared with the current central system.