The Catalan Guide Carles Puigdemontin “exile” in Belgium (actually he fled to Brussels to avoid capture by the Madrid authorities), he said demand amnesty for the independent in exchange for his consent to the investiture of Pedro Sanchez as Prime Minister of Spain. The support of Juntsthe party of which Puigdemont is the leader is in fact essential for the PSOE secretary to obtain the number of votes necessary to achieve a government majority that will allow him to stay in Moncloa as prime minister.
Puigdemont, organizer of the hotly contested referendum for Catalonia’s independence in 2017, then explains that in Spain “A historical compromise is required‘ and underscores the difficulty for the Independence Party in negotiating with ‘those who have criminalized and repressed our political activities’.
Then Puigdemont explains and justifies his demands: “We don’t want an agreement just to keep the legislature going. Prerequisites are required to start these negotiations, among others.” the termination of the court proceedings and an amnesty,” continues the former President of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Wanted by Spanish courts himself, he fled to Belgium six years ago to avoid the trial he was due to face.
“In the next few weeks we will be ready to negotiate this historic agreement, but only if the conditions for an ambitious project are in place, otherwise there would be no point in starting negotiations,” he continues. “So the question here is not whether we are ready to negotiate. The question is whether Spain’s two major political parties are willing to negotiate with us.” Puigdemont has clear ideas about the future of the Catalan question: everything has to be reorganized Referendum on self-determination. Against the words of the Catalan leader, the authoritative voice of Felipe Gonzálezformer socialist prime minister (1982-1996) and recognized leader of the Spanish (and European) left: “The constitution is not chewing gumneither amnesty nor self-determination appear in it”.
The scenario: Parliament without a majority, Diaz’s visit to Puigdemont yesterday
Paradoxically, socialist Pedro Sánchez, who came second in the vote, has the best chance of rallying the parliamentary majority to stay in power. This requires the votes of the seven deputies Junts they are vital. So we are in an impasse: the general elections of July 23 did not produce a clear and stable majority.
As confirmation of this, the number “three” of the current government, Yolanda Diaz (leader of Sumar, a party left of the PSOE) traveled to Brussels yesterday to visit Puigdemont. It was the first “mission” by a member of the Madrid government since the Catalan leader left Spain in 2017.
The conservative leader is strengthened by the result of his People’s Party (33.05%). Alberto Nunez Feijóo was invited by the king Felipe VI to present his candidacy for the post of Prime Minister to Parliament. The sovereign therefore officially instructed him to seek a governing majority (the appointment was made two weeks ago).
The debates and votes will take place on September 26th and 27th. But Feijóo’s chances of success are slim. After the popular secretary’s expected bankruptcy, Sánchez would have two months to try to get himself pulled over. But if he fails too, it is likely that new elections will be called in mid-January.