Catalan President Pere Aragonès acknowledges the need for increased funding in education and urges political parties to pass the 2024 budget. After the disappointing results of the PISA tests, Aragonès emphasizes the importance of investing more in education and working closely with the educational community. In his annual Christmas message, he emphasizes that children and young people are the present and future of the country.
Speaking from Barcelona’s king Martí water deposit, symbolizing the government’s commitment to addressing the drought, Aragonès expresses his gratitude to farmers and livestock breeders for their extraordinary dedication. However, he notes that further efforts from society and continued investment in water infrastructure are still necessary. While education and the drought are just a few of the challenges facing the Catalan executive in the coming year, Aragonès also highlights the need to address issues relating to dependency, public health, housing, violence against women, the Catalan language, the Rodalies commuter service, and Catalonia’s freedom.
Reflecting on the achievements of 2023, Aragonès points out significant milestones, including agreements with the Spanish government for the full transfer of Rodalies, scheduled to be implemented next year, and the potential passage and implementation of the amnesty law in 2024. He believes that the amnesty law is crucial for achieving freedom and the return of repressed individuals to Catalonia and starting the next phase of negotiation with the Spanish state. Additionally, Aragonès calls for a unique financing agreement with the Spanish state in 2024 to address the unsustainable fiscal deficit.
Furthermore, Aragonès emphasizes the importance of a renewed commitment to the Catalan language, aiming to strengthen it and ensure its increased presence everywhere. He highlights the availability of more audiovisual material in Catalan than ever before and the language’s recognition in the Spanish Congress of Deputies. Aragonès also mentions the ongoing efforts for Catalan to become an official language in the European Union.
As Aragonès concludes his speech, he urges Catalans to make 2024 the year they secure the future they deserve. He emphasizes the significance of this pivotal year and encourages citizens to take an active role in shaping Catalonia’s path towards independence.
By acknowledging the pressing needs in education, addressing the water scarcity issue, and emphasizing Catalonia’s struggle for autonomy and linguistic recognition, Aragonès presents a comprehensive vision for the future. His call for collective commitment and responsibility sets the tone for a year focused on progress and improvement in various areas important to the Catalan people.
