The regional capitals receive 3.3 million euros, with a 5% increase

The President of the Government of La Rioja, Gonzalo Capellán, signed yesterday with the mayors the annual agreements for regional capitals for 2024, which, on this occasion, amount to 3.3 million euros. As he defended after the signatures, these are very important agreements “because they make visible and specify the cooperation between the town councils and local entities with the administration of the Government of La Rioja.” “In this line of joint work of cooperation and collaboration, we must continue working to continue providing the best services to the citizens of La Rioja,” he stated. Furthermore, and as he advanced, “our desire is to continue increasing the transfer year after year.”

Specifically, yesterday the agreements were signed with the mayors of Alfaro, Calahorra, Haro, Arnedo, Nájera, Santo Domingo, Cervera and Torrecilla.

During his speech, the Rioja president highlighted his “conviction” for “municipalism” which is “fundamental in our region.”

In this sense – he stressed – «La Rioja is made up of 174 municipalities, entities and villages with population centers to which we provide services. The important thing is that all Riojans can have the best possible benefits. For this, cooperation between administrations is key.

Capellán valued the work of the regional capitals because “in addition to providing service to their citizens, they also provide service to the environment.” We must “recognize and maintain all of this because intermediate cities have a key role and serve as support so that they remain alive and continue to improve so that La Rioja can develop harmoniously.”

On paper – said Capellán – and after the increase of 5% compared to the previous year, “the global amount of these agreements goes from 3.1 million in 2023 to 3.3 million euros in 2024.”

The division of this money between the county seats responds to two variables; on the one hand, a fixed amount – which is the one that has increased by 5% – assigned and linked by regulations to the population and, on the other, according to the number of inhabitants of each of these communities.

These expenses help “to provide services, carry out works, current expenses or cover other multiple needs they may have.”

After the signing of the agreements and representing all the mayors, the councilor of Calahorra, Mónica Arceiz, and the councilor of Torrecilla, Sergio Martínez, spoke. Arceiz highlighted that “the regional capitals are the backbone of La Rioja” and Martínez the importance of collaboration between the institutions.