Catalan Socialist leader would support an independence referendum if citizens reject Constitutional Reform

Barcelona (ACN).- Miquel Iceta, First Secretary of the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), is currently rejecting a vote on independence and is proposing a broad Constitutional Reform to grant Catalonia a better fitting within a truly federal Spain. On Wednesday evening, Iceta explained his proposals in a conference, emulating what the main pro-independence leaders – Artur Mas and Oriol Junqueras – had done one and two weeks ago. On Thursday, he was interviewed by a radio station about his proposals and he was asked about would happen if Catalans were to reject the Constitutional Reform he is pushing for. In such a scenario, the leader of the PSC – which is part of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) – stated that he would support the organisation of a referendum on independence. However, before voting on breaking up with Spain, Iceta insisted on the need to vote on a new agreement set through a Constitutional Reform.

"If there is a reform of the Constitution and Catalonia says 'no', then there will only be one way left, which is a clarity law to organise a mutually-agreed vote on independence", said Iceta, answering a question from a Rac 1 journalist. If the "yes" vote were to win, then negotiations should begun between Catalan and Spanish representatives to set the terms for independence, according to Iceta.

However, according to the Socialist leader, now is not yet the time for such a vote. According to him, now it is time to talk and negotiate a new agreement between Catalonia and Spain, to build a truly federal system. This new agreement should recognise "Catalonia's national reality", it should protect Catalan language and culture, as well as its school model, it should clearly define the Spanish Government's exclusive powers and give the rest to the Catalan Government; and, it should set a fairer inter-territorial scheme for Catalonia, guarantee that Catalans do not receive less resources per inhabitant than poorer territories, as currently happens. Iceta envisages this reform for after the next Spanish elections, which are scheduled around November 2016, and if the PSOE were to win them.