The Provincial Council of Albacete presents a record budget of 175.2 million for 2026 which will have the support of the PP after accepting its amendments

Tomorrow, the Plenary will approve the accounts with the support of the ten deputies of the Popular Party, after negotiating several amendments incorporated into the document. In this sense, the president of the Provincial Corporation indicated that even if the absolute majority would allow the approval of budgets without support “consensus makes them better” because they will have the support of 23 deputies instead of 13.

Cabañero emphasized that these accounts were designed to meet the real needs of the province and respond to requests from municipalities. The president of the provincial institution explained that “the notable increase in the budget” is due to the complete settlement of the debt of the Provincial Council and the central government’s commitment to municipalism. “We are going to allocate 0 euros to debt or interest after having amortized more than 53 million in nine years,” emphasized Caballero, who added that an investment from the Spanish government of 143 million euros is expected, an amount that represents an increase of 28% compared to the previous year.

Four areas of action

The provincial vice-president, Fran Valera, detailed the distribution of the budget into four main lines of action and placed as main axis of economic promotion and support for municipalities, which totals almost 100 million euros with the aim of generating jobs, stimulating economic activity and improving services in cities.

In this area, the employment plan and the Dipualba Protege II project stand out, which reach a cumulative amount of five and a half million. Likewise, he explained that the appeal for the repair of rural roads will have two million and that the Dipualba Responde initiative, aimed at financing municipal actions, will have one and a half million after incorporating an amendment from the Popular Party. He added that Sepei and the Mobile Park will exceed 23 million to improve equipment and vehicles.

The second line of action corresponds to the Social services and support for the Third Sector, with a budget of nearly 28.5 million euros. Valera clarified that the San Vicente residence will receive more than 13 million and that the Medium Stay Unit will receive more than five million. He also highlighted the role of the Social Services Consortium, which he defined as “the flagship of the Provincial Council”, which will obtain 4.8 million to serve some 4,000 people at home or through catering. In addition, the Citizen Assistance Consortium, whose objective is to help elderly people in rural areas, will have more than a million euros.

The Education, Culture and Sports area brings together more than 8.7 million euros. The Education and Culture appeals will have 1.7 million and cultural associations will have 337,000 euros. The cultural institution of Albacete will receive more than 1.4 million and the IEA Don Juan Manuel, one million. Cabañero highlighted that this position will finance approximately 300 sports activities, which are expected to attract more than 70,000 participants in the province.

The Environment, Tourism and Rural Development chapter will have nearly 6.5 million euros. One million will be allocated to an audit of the state of the drinking water supply in the municipalities and more than two million to the Provincial Agricultural Technical Institute.

Investments

Cabañero guaranteed that the entire budget constitutes a “historic investment effort” with 50 million intended directly for the institution’s own services and for actions managed through town halls. The new accounts set the per capita expenditure at 424 euros, which represents an increase of 16 percent, and bring the investment to 130 euros per person, a figure which increases by 115% compared to the previous year.

Among the most notable investments are the 30 million dedicated to road maintenance. and the integrated action plans of La Roda and Sierra de Alcaraz and Campo de Montiel, designed to combat rural exodus and endowed with 15 million.

Valera also explained that the urban planning procedures for the rehabilitation of the Music Conservatory are very advanced and that the work has a budget of six million euros. Finally, he insisted on the fact that these budgets, beyond the figures, will have a direct impact via municipal councilsconsidered the best platform to solve citizens’ problems.

The vice president concluded by emphasizing that the agreement with the two Vox deputies was not possible this year either because, as he stated, For the PSOE, “it is not possible to renounce fundamental lines like the 2030 Agenda or the equality of men and women.”