During a public event in Jaén, the former president stated that it is in Spain's interest for Catalonia to be well-funded, considering it an "economic locomotive" for the entire country, including Andalusia. These remarks were made while supporting a candidate for the presidency of the Junta de Andalucía.

The reaction from political groups in the Jaén City Council and the Jaén Merece Más party was immediate. They described the speech as "inappropriate, indecent, and completely out of place," especially as it was delivered in one of the Spanish provinces with the greatest deficiencies in investment and infrastructure.

From Jaén Merece Más, the former president was criticized for "boasting" about Catalan funding in a province they consider the "epicenter of deficit" in investments. They demand that political leaders, instead of granting privileges to some regions, fight for what is owed to provinces like Jaén and for the equality of all territories. Among their demands is the improvement of the railway network to reduce travel times to Madrid, Córdoba, Seville, and Cádiz.

Meanwhile, the Popular Group in the Jaén City Council deemed it "scandalous" that the city's mayor applauded the former president's proposal, suggesting that he prioritizes his party's interests over those of the city. They argue that a privilege for some translates into discrimination for others, and that the mayor's attitude is even more serious in a city "marginalized" by the central Government, which, according to them, "refuses to connect the capital with Madrid with high-speed trains and skimps on investment to build the new National Police station."

The popular spokesperson urged the mayor to publicly reject the funding privileges proposed for wealthier autonomous communities and to demand investments for Jaén, warning that an asymmetrical distribution would harm the province. He emphasized that the mayor's "servile" attitude affects both the future of the capital and the dignity of its citizens.