The local Public Finance (2006)

Among the financial measures planned by the Government to be presented to Parliament, there are a series of measures to limit the expenditure of local authorities. These measures have led to protests and risings of defence not only from the opposition, but also from governors, provincial presidents and mayors of both right and left, who are united by the common fear of having to reduce their budgets, to the detriment of the communities they administer. The debate has been somewhat obscured by economic data, and few have asked about the weight of local finance and debt.
The increase in the competencies of the Regions and the greater power conferred on mayors have led to an increase in the expenditure of local authorities in recent years, which has risen from 191 to 218 billion euros between 2002 and 2005.