Concerns Over Málaga's Investment Shortfall
Patricia Rueda, the national deputy for VOX representing Málaga, has brought to light the alarming issue of inadequate investment in the province under the government of Pedro Sánchez. Rueda pointed out that despite Málaga being one of the key contributors to Spain's economy, particularly through its tourism sector, it continues to rank among the last provinces in terms of state investment. During a recent meeting in Mijas with local VOX representatives, she expressed her dissatisfaction with the government's failure to address the pressing infrastructure needs of the province.
Calls for Action on Infrastructure and Connectivity
Rueda emphasized that Spain has been operating under extended General State Budgets for four years, a situation she believes hampers the development of critical infrastructure in the province. "Málaga stands out as a province that significantly contributes to the national economy due to its tourism and economic activities, yet it remains at the bottom end of state investment. This is an utterly unjust situation for the people of Málaga," she stated. Furthermore, Rueda lamented that while essential projects for the Costa del Sol remain unaddressed, the government continues to allocate substantial funds for infrastructure projects outside of Spain. She highlighted the nearly 100 tax increases approved since Sánchez took office, noting that the resulting revenue has not translated into investments for Málaga's necessary water and mobility infrastructure.
Among the critical infrastructure projects Rueda mentioned are the need for enhanced rail connectivity in the province, advancements on the coastal train, and improvements to water infrastructure to ensure adequate supply along the Costa del Sol. "Málaga is growing every year, both in terms of residential tourism and visitors, but our infrastructure is not keeping pace due to the lack of planning from successive governments," she emphasized.
Francisco Jerez, the VOX tourism councilor in Mijas, warned that the connectivity issues are already having direct negative impacts on the municipality's tourism sector. He explained that reservations from visitors traveling from central Spain for the upcoming Holy Week have dropped by nearly 35%, particularly among those who typically used the AVE train to reach Málaga and subsequently travel along the Costa del Sol. "This situation is severely affecting our tourist destination and could cost millions of euros for the entire Costa del Sol if an efficient rail connection with Madrid and the rest of the country is not reestablished soon," Jerez cautioned.
The councilor stressed the need for infrastructure that matches the growth of the Costa del Sol. He reiterated the importance of advancing pending projects, including new water infrastructure such as the planned desalination plant in the area, as well as mobility improvements to alleviate congestion on the main access roads to the province. "The Costa del Sol will continue to grow, and we need 21st-century infrastructure. We cannot keep operating with outdated systems while traffic worsens and necessary investments fail to materialize," he concluded.
As reported by voxespana.es.
