BARCELONA (Reuters) – Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) should not assume the support of Catalonia’s separatist parties in their bid to form a government after a closely contested national election, cautioned a senior member of the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) party on Wednesday. Pere Aragones, a leader of the ERC, also highlighted legal pathways for another referendum on Catalan independence during his first interview since the election, in which neither the left nor right blocs secured a clear majority. The failed independence attempt by Catalonia in 2017, including an illegal referendum, resulted in Spain’s most profound political crisis since a coup attempt in 1981 during its transition to democracy.
The ERC and Junts, a more uncompromising Catalan party, have become pivotal players following the July 23rd vote, as they could determine the next Prime Minister by providing their backing to Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE, who opposes Catalan independence, and finished second in the election behind the conservative People’s Party.
“Pedro Sanchez needs to take action to secure the support,” emphasized Aragones. “He cannot assume anything and must earn it,” added Aragones, who also serves as the head of Catalonia’s regional government.
The ERC previously supported Sanchez’s investiture in parliament in 2020, but this was contingent upon talks concerning Catalonia’s political future. However, the PSOE has maintained that its actions will adhere to the limits set by the constitution.
Aragones contended that Spain’s constitution is adaptable enough to find unspecified “legal pathways” to facilitate a referendum, but it depends on the “political will” to make it happen.
In order to renew their support, the ERC is requesting further discussions, a reduction in the region’s financial contributions to the national public finances, and control over local train services.
“This is a significant opportunity, and I am uncertain how long it will take us to have another one,” expressed Aragones, who aims for the ERC and Junts to present joint demands.
Junts is demanding a referendum on independence and an amnesty for all separatists facing legal charges in connection with the unsuccessful 2017 independence bid.
Aragones believes that the leverage possessed by the two parties could help achieve a referendum and amnesty, while also securing concessions in financial and cultural matters.
While Aragones declined to comment on whether the ERC would scale back some of their demands, he added, “I believe the agreements would need to be very specific on all issues… and implemented as soon as possible or according to a strict timeline.”
(Reporting by Joan Faus; editing by Charlie Devereux and John Stonestreet)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
