Frente Amplio Proposes Reallocating High-Speed Rail Funds to Rodalies Network
Minister Ernest Urtasun seeks to prioritize local commuter rail over Madrid-Barcelona speed upgrades.
1Proposed Infrastructure Budget Shift
Minister Ernest Urtasun announced that Frente Amplio plans to cancel the project to increase the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed rail line to 350 km/h. The coalition intends to redirect the 1.333 billion euros already committed to this speed upgrade directly into the Rodalies commuter rail network to improve daily service reliability for passengers.
2Prioritizing Daily Commuter Needs
Urtasun argued that the marginal time savings of high-speed travel do not justify the massive expenditure while local commuters face constant delays. He emphasized that the majority of Catalans lose significant time waiting for Rodalies trains, making the improvement of this regional network a far more urgent political and social priority.
3Reforming Railway Management Models
Beyond funding shifts, Urtasun advocates for a fundamental restructuring of the rail sector. He proposes reversing the consequences of liberalization, reconsidering the separation between infrastructure manager Adif and operator Renfe, and revoking current outsourcing practices in network maintenance. These measures aim to restore public confidence following recent accidents in several regions.
4Opposition to Airport Expansion
The proposal includes a firm rejection of the Barcelona Airport expansion project. Urtasun maintains that resources should be focused on public transit rather than infrastructure for tourists. He specifically criticized the R-Aeroport shuttle project, asserting that it cannot take priority over the essential train services used by local residents every day.
5Political Strategy and Governance
Urtasun expressed interest in managing the Transport portfolio if Frente Amplio gains sufficient influence after the November 29 elections. He stated that his coalition is prepared to lead any government area, emphasizing that their eight years of experience in the state government have equipped them to handle complex national infrastructure management responsibilities.
6Addressing Corruption and Accountability
While supporting the revalidation of the current progressive coalition government, Urtasun criticized the PSOE's handling of recent corruption allegations. He rejected the notion that corruption is inevitable, contrasting this with his own political space's record. He argued that such rhetoric undermines public trust and demands a more rigorous ethical standard in governance.
7Housing and Social Priorities
Housing remains a central pillar of the Frente Amplio campaign platform. Urtasun expressed support for the general strike scheduled for November 11, which focuses on housing rights. He also urged Junts to vote in favor of upcoming housing decrees in the Congress of Deputies to align with the interests of the Catalan people.
8Defending Co-official Languages
Urtasun warned against a potential PP and Vox government, claiming they would persecute the Catalan language. He criticized proposals to remove the use of co-official languages in Congress, specifically challenging PP candidate Xavier García Albiol to clarify his stance on protecting Catalan versus supporting measures that would restrict its official institutional usage.