Catalan socialists call for ‘national reconciliation’

A proposal put forward by the Catalan socialist party (PSC) calling for a “collective” political project to begin a process of “national reconciliation” was rejected on Wednesday in Parliament. The socialist proposal urged the need to reestablish “basic” consensus in a “deeply divided” Catalan society in order to “break the current dynamic of confrontation.” However, the pro-independence camp criticized the proposal, in particular pointing to a “lack of empathy” for the political prisoners shown by socialist leaders.

The head of the socialists in the Catalan parliament, Miquel Iceta, argued for his party’s proposal, pointing out that five months have gone by since the election and Catalonia continues “without a president and without a government,” while direct rule from Madrid remains in place, causing “deep social division.” Iceta went on to express his party’s fears that the increasingly “radicalized” attitudes of some sectors of society could “destroy social harmony and lead to violence.”   

Yet, the pro-independence parties in parliament rejected the proposal. Carles Puigdemont’s Junts per Catalunya party (JxCat), for example, reproached the socialists for the proposal when they have given “unconditional support” to Mariano Rajoy’s government in its attempts to suppress the unilateral referendum on independence and the imposition of direct rule that followed. JxCat spokeswoman, Elsa Artadi, accused PSC of “pretending it has nothing to do with it,” and she advised Iceta to beg “forgiveness” before suggesting a process of reconciliation.

In presenting his party’s proposal, Iceta had stressed the need to reach agreement and that his party was willing to do just that, even as part of the opposition. The PSC leader stressed that Catalonia urgently needs its own government, otherwise direct rule from Madrid will continue. However, Iceta put the fault for Catalonia still not having a government at the door of the pro-independence parties, and their failure to reach an effective agreement on forming a new Catalan executive.

However, Artadi pressed Iceta to show support for the Catalan officials jailed while awaiting trial for their role in the independence bid. “How many years have you known Turull or Rull? How many things have you negotiated with Marta?” she asked Iceta, referring to some of the imprisoned officials. The JxCat spokeswoman went on to call on PSC to join the “board against repression” put forward by the Catalan parliament speaker, and to show empathy for “the suffering of the victims of the reprisals.” Artadi concluded by inviting Iceta to “go to the prisons, to visit your colleagues; if you want, I will come with you,” she said.