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Barcelona Chamber of Commerce president, ​​Joan Canadell, has categorically expressed his view on Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to Catalonia: "While the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and Unidas Podemos (UP) want to lead the Catalans to believe that dialogue is back, the reality is that we continue as usual, false promises, while they continue to mistreat us with unsustainable fiscal deficit." He also asks for "a definitive solution."

Translation:

"The Catalan government must act against this new grievance. While the PSOE-UP coalition want to lead the Catalans to believe that dialogue is back, the reality is that we continue as usual: false promises, while they continue to mistreat us with unsustainable fiscal deficit. A definitive solution has to be demanded." - Joan Canadell

Why does Canadell define this situation as a "grievance"? In a press compilation on his Twitter profile, he points out the Spanish government's inability to settle VAT payments overdue since 2017. This decision was explained by Spanish minister of finance María Jesús Montero, who suggested compensating this delay through easing of the deficit and charging zero interest on credit under the FLA autonomous community fund in 2019.

In response, Catalan secretary of economy Natàlia Mas, described the proposal as "dishonest" because she considers that it "aims at not settling the outstanding debt" with the Catalan government. The president of the Chamber complains about the media silence about this matter.

He also compares the news about the fiscal deficit with that of Barcelona being designated culture capital again, widely present on front pages featuring Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sáncehz: "The VAT issue implies a 443 million euro increase of the 2017 fiscal deficit which will have to be combatted with more Catalan public debt. It's outrageous."

Translation:

"While Spanish Media explain the seriousness of news item no. 1, in Catalonia there is no. 2 on frontpages. The VAT issue implies a  €443 million increase in the 2017 fiscal deficit which will have to be combatted with more Catalan public debt. It's outrageous." - Joan Canadell