"There is work that has already been done, and work is continuing," Chueca said, explaining that implementing the projects planned for this year does not prevent the city government from preparing the 2027 budget in advance. "We have to work ahead of time to present the 2027 budget, as has been done for more than seven years," she said. She thus insisted that the timetable for budget planning has not changed.
A MESSAGE FOR VOX'S NEW SPOKESPERSON
Chueca also took the opportunity to send a direct message to Vox's new spokesperson, Eva Torres, after Torres questioned the city government's willingness to comply with existing agreements. "Nothing has changed," the mayor said, before adding: "One thing has changed: Vox has a new spokesperson, because until last year we had Julio Calvo, and he understood this perfectly."
Torres had accused the People's Party of seeking to sit down to negotiate the 2027 budget despite the fact that, according to Vox, only 18% of the key items included in its commitments with the party have been implemented. The issues the group is demanding include investments in security, rural districts, industrial parks and parking facilities, as well as other outstanding commitments.
In response to the criticism, Chueca defended the preparation of the budget as part of the "normal work of government." Along these lines, she confirmed that next week she will hold a round of meetings with city council spokespersons to discuss the 2027 budget, although she has not yet specified the dates because schedules are still being finalized.
