In La Seu d'Urgell, Catalan President Salvador Illa defended the new Generalitat budget and said investment in the Pyrenees will rise by 50%. He made the remarks on 12 June 2026 at the 37th Pyrenean Business Meeting, where he presented the budget as a sign of stability for Catalonia.
Illa said the budget, agreed with ERC and Comuns, totals €50 billion. He listed planned work in the Pyrenees, including improvements to the N-260 road and the Eix de Comiols, a new hospital for Alt Urgell, 24-hour helicopter services, fibre optic deployment and the ongoing IRTA centre project in the Pyrenees.
He also said the government plans a €400 million scheme for small towns across Catalonia and a call for applications to fill vacant secretary and auditor posts in local councils, where many positions are currently unfilled. For readers following Catalan politics, related coverage is available on our news page.
On industry, Illa said the Transversal Railway Axis is still under analysis. He also said several options are being studied for an industrial plan at Alguaire Airport, and that he expects a plan to take shape during his presidency.
Business leaders also raised the Organyà economic zone. Andorra has shown interest in using the area for industrial land and for a different tax system. Illa said he is willing to reach an understanding and is working on the fiscal side, while protecting Catalonia's interests.
He also spoke about competitiveness and energy, saying Catalonia pays one-third of Italy's electricity costs and half of Germany's, which he linked to renewable energy. He said the government wants to raise the share of renewables further, with a goal of dedicating 2% of the territory to these energies in line with European requirements.
Illa also said Catalonia has a role to play in defence, and pointed to the strength of the agri-food sector in Lleida, along with logistics, technology, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
