Government sets strategic course amid political challenges

Catalan President Salvador Illa has pledged to maintain focus on the government's commitments despite anticipating an intense political climate in the coming months. Speaking at the Monestir de les Avellanes in Os de Balaguer, Illa said the new political course will be defined by delivering on key public services and infrastructure. The meeting, held on 28 August 2026, marks the fifth time this legislative term that the Executive has convened outside the Palau de la Generalitat, following previous sessions in Poblet, Núria, Arnes and Sant Fruitós de Bages.

Key priorities: finance, housing, education and forests

Illa outlined several major challenges that will shape the next decade, including securing a new financing model, executing the current budget, ensuring access to housing, improving education and infrastructure, and protecting forests. He stressed that these issues remain central to the government's mandate. "Some will seek to stir confrontation and will have no scruples in attacking Catalonia, we are used to this. Others will try to exploit the situation to weaken the country," Illa said, adding that the government would continue working at full pace regardless.

We will keep fulfilling our priorities, our direction and the model of country we committed to at the start of the term.

The president reiterated that the government would uphold the values that have made Catalonia strong and place the country's interests above all else.

Forest management agreement with provincial councils

A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of a protocol between the Generalitat and the four provincial councils, Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, to strengthen forest management and wildfire prevention. Illa described the agreement as a "great deal" and emphasized the need for inter-administrative coordination. Under the plan, the government aims to triple forest management in public woodlands, increasing annual treatment to an average of 2,000 hectares. This year, 620 hectares have been managed, up from 418 hectares between 2023 and 2025. Illa called forest protection a "duty of the country" and warned of the dangers of climate denialism, affirming that Catalonia would not cut a single euro from its wildfire prevention efforts.

  • New financing model
  • Budget execution
  • Housing access
  • Education improvements
  • Infrastructure development
  • Forest protection and fire prevention

The government also discussed regional infrastructure projects, including improvements to the Rodalies commuter rail network, the N-II highway in Maresme, the Preses bypass in Garrotxa, the N-260 road, the Comiols corridor, and the C-28 safety upgrades. Work on a new air corridor between El Pont de Suert and Xerallo is in the informational study phase. Additional regional initiatives include the development of the Lleida-Alguaire airport into an industrial aviation hub with a new maintenance hangar, and enhancing the Andorra-La Seu airport for public mountain air transport. The Executive also plans to reinforce public security through new calls for recruitment within the Mossos d'Esquadra and judicial units.

Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by novatarrega.cat, Lleida.com, VilaWeb, 3CatInfo, lavalira.eu, [email protected], David Expósito J, elnacional.cat, Nació Digital, europapress.es, lleidadiari.cat, naciodigital.cat, vozdemadrid.com, Nova Tàrrega.