Elections needed if Torra ousted, says business association head

The president of one of Catalonia's biggest business associations believes that fresh elections will be needed in Catalonia if President Quim Torra is removed from office in the coming weeks.

In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), PIMEC head Josep González, claimed that the "significantly altered political landscape" would make it difficult to fight the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Torra is currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on his disqualification as head of the Catalan government due to a row over displaying yellow ribbons in support of the jailed independence leaders.

González complained that deadlocks were not good, and that he would like to see "a little bit more governing and a little less politics".

Focus on current concerns

The president of PIMEC, whose organization represents over 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises believes that "the Catalan political map would need more balance and tranquility" in order to prioritize economic recovery.

Political action should be focused on employers' current concerns, González argues, which in the midst of the current crisis boil down to trying to stay open or reopen, while maintaining their workforce and turnover.

"Ther is a time for everything and right now everyone – governments, employers, unions – must concentrate on facing up to reality."

Referring to the talks between Catalonia and Spain, on hold since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, the PIMEC president said he felt that the negotiation table was "necessary", but admitted that he has the feeling that "we are talking about an ethereal issue".

"Everyone is talking about the negotiations, but neither side is setting it up."