Valencian government defends 'national priority' policy despite EU legal concerns

The Valencian regional government has reaffirmed its commitment to a 'national priority' principle established in agreements with the Vox party, despite legal concerns raised by the European Commission.

The European Commission has expressed doubts regarding the legality of this principle, suggesting that implementing it in laws related to public benefits or housing could be discriminatory and conflict with European Union jurisprudence regarding residency requirements.

Juanfran Pérez Llorca, president of the regional government, dismissed the EU's concerns as a 'sterile debate.' He compared the measures to municipal ordinances that prioritize long-term residents, arguing that such priorities are common in various administrations. The principle has already been integrated into the 2026 regional budget's fiscal measures and a non-binding proposal regarding housing.