“Civil rights can not be suspended,” says Podemos leader

Today’s anti-referendum operation, in which Spanish Guardia Civil raided the Catalan government and arrested several high-ranking officials, has triggered the widespread condemnation of pro-independence political forces. Yet, the leaders of the Spanish left-wing Podemos party and its allies in Catalonia have also criticized the operation.

“Civil rights can not be suspended,” said Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias. According to Iglesias, who labeled the situation as “shameful,” other elected officials should call for dialogue and demand democracy to be respected. “It is very serious that there are political prisoners while a corrupt political party is parasitizing the institutions.”

“It is a scandal for democracy to see institutions raided and elected officials detained for political reasons. We defend Catalan institutions,” tweeted Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. In an interview with Catalan public radio, she said that the situation is reaching a point of “repressive escalation” that makes her wonder “whether they are aware of what they are doing”. “This is untenable,” Colau said.

Colau also called for the unity of Catalan parties and directly appealed to the Catalan socialists (PSC), Colau’s allies in the city council of Barcelona who are currently opposed the October 1 referendum.

The leader of the Catalan left wing coalition En Comú Podem, Xavier Domènech, also called for unity. “This is no longer a matter of political parties. It has to do with the people’s rights and civil liberties.”