Abstract
The Spanish territorial financing system approved in 2009 was set to expire in 2014. However, the central government and the Autonomous Communities have so far been unable to forge an agreement that would give birth to a new system. The political instability with four elections in less than five years, the crisis in Catalonia, and then the pandemic have hindered an already complex process. This study aims at investigating how the different Autonomous Communities have tried to set the agenda before engaging in negotiations with the central government in the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council (CPFF) to discuss a new agreement. To this end, it will examine the different positions held by the Autonomous Communities, placing a particular interest on how these have grouped, regardless of their political affiliation. The solution to establish several common fronts among ACs with the same needs/goals constitutes a novelty in Spanish politics which is worth exploring. Thus, the study analyzes the role played by horizontal intergovernmental cooperation in the agenda setting process prior to the start of formal negotiations on a new system at the CPFF, with the aim to determine its usefulness and effectiveness in influencing the central government at the negotiating table.