d'Anjou, Minister of Finance: "We will have 15.7 billion to use to build the Basque Country of today and tomorrow"

• The Minister of Finance Noël d'Anjou explained the key data of the draft budget of the Basque Government for 2025, which amounts to 15.7 billion euros, an increase in the overall budget of 4.7% compared to last year

The Governing Council today approved the Draft General Budget of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country for the financial year 2025 at €15.728 B, an increase of €703 M in the overall budget, or 4.7% more than last year. The project was presented by the Minister of Finance, Noël d'Anjou, at the press conference following the Governing Council. "This draft reflects the courageous spirit in which we approached the first budget of the legislature. The Basque Government is going to seize the opportunity to build the Basque Country of today and tomorrow, based on three pillars: strengthening public services, investing in transformations to prepare for the future and reinforcing our sense of community", said D'Anjou. 

One of the keys to this project is that, for the first time, the Basque Government is investing more than €1.5 billion of its own resources in public investment. Specifically €1.5312 B, an increase of 8.8% over the previous year's budget, an additional €124 M. To this must be added the RRF amounts corresponding to investment, the Southern Railway Bypass and the Basque Y, which increase the figure to €1.837 B. Alongside this, the executive focuses on two areas, namely R&D&I with €680 M of own resources (€39 M more than in 2024), fulfilling the commitment to increase by 6% annually; and on welfare and quality of life, with 76.6% of the budget focused on these policies (€11.4342 B), increasing by nearly €500 M. The salary cost of the Basque public sector is €6.119 B - €225 M more than in 2024-, of which €2.849 B corresponds to General Administration.

“This project is framed in a scenario of economic growth of 2.1% for 2025, a year in which approximately 15,000 jobs are expected to be created, with an unemployment rate of 7%," explained d'Anjou, "and a nominal GDP growth of 4.3%.

On 31 October, the draft budget will be registered in the Basque Parliament, and the ministers will appear from 4 to 7 November. Once the appearances of the councillors have been completed, a round of contacts will be opened with the political groups to explore possible support for the budget, beyond the parties that support the government, with a view to its final approval on 20 December.

With regard to the round of negotiations with the opposition parties, the Finance Minister made it clear that "leadership is ours. We have a majority to get the budget through, but the more support the better. We will make the rounds with all democratic parties, excluding Vox".

"I hope that we are all capable of approaching this negotiation with a clear vision, avoiding political tactics and focusing on what is important: to continue to promote the welfare and economic development of this country, which has to compete locally in a global world", said the Minister.

An extra €2.3 million to support jobs for people with disabilities

In addition to the draft budget, María Ubarretxena reported on other decisions taken today by the Governing Council. One of them related to Lanbide. Thus, the Government has increased aid to support jobs for people with disabilities hired in Special Employment Centres in 2025 by more than 2.3 million euros, to reach a total of 71,712,750 euros.

The Governing Council approved today the extension of several collaboration agreements between the Department of Justice and Human Rights and various associations, such as Gaztaroan Ekin, Berriztu and Gaztedi to assist young people and minors who are subject to protection or reintegration measures, or must carry out community service.

Another decision taken today was at the request of the Regional Minister for Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, Amaia Barredo, approving for 2024 special financial aid, amounting to €1,700,000 for winegrowers in Alavesa,  covered by the Rioja Designation of Origin to facilitate the recovery of their production capacity in the 2025 campaign.

Likewise, at the proposal of the Department of Welfare, Youth and the Demographic Challenge, the Governing Council has approved the direct subsidy to the Agintzari cooperative, to finance the extension of the Trapezistak programme. The Trapezistak programme supports young people without familial support in their transition to adult life.