Disagreement must not prevent dialogue, Podemos leader tells president

Disagreement between the Catalan and Spanish governments over self-determination should “in no way prevent dialogue and exploring democratic means to manage the conflict in Catalonia.” That is the opinion of Podemos party leader, Pablo Iglesias, who on Monday met with Catalan president Quim Torra in Barcelona. Addressing the press after the meeting, Iglesias insisted that dialogue is all about talking “to those who do not think like you.”

Describing the hour and a half meeting in the Catalan government headquarters as “cordial,” the head of the left-wing Spanish party praised their shared “republican values,” despite their ideological differences, as the “best guarantee” that Catalonia and Spain “continue to walk side-by-side,” because they imply social justice and recognition of “plurinationality.” Iglesias also thanked Torra for his “total and unconditional readiness” to talk.

Iglesias wants to visit jailed Catalan leaders

According to Iglesias, one of Torra's main “concerns” at the meeting was the situation of jailed independence leaders awaiting trial for their part in the independence bid. For the Podemos leader, transferring the prisoners to Catalan jails would be a “first measure for easing tensions and for dialogue.” Iglesias also said he would like to visit the prisoners, “to establish a dialogue with the people deprived of their freedom.”