Overview

• The Transport Ministry rejects ending the AP-66 toll despite the European Commission’s view that the 2050 extension and subsequent privatization were irregular.
• Óscar Puente maintains that annulling the concession would burden public finances beyond acceptable limits and refuses to discuss scrapping the charge.
• Roughly 5,000 people marched in Oviedo to demand suppression of the toll in a cross-party, business and union coalition that the central government has downplayed.
• Asturias plans an Oct. 27 Alianza por las Infraestructuras meeting to unveil political, administrative and legal actions, while the ministry says it has not received an official meeting request.
• Coverage notes the Supreme Court allows rescission when a new public interest arises and that any compensation to Aucalsa would be governed by older law, leaving options from defending the deal to rescinding and re-tendering.