Longtime German MP urges Europe to intervene in the Catalan question

“It is absurd to take pro-independence politicians to court, because it only fuels support for independence. It looks like the State wants the conflict,” said German politician Bernhard Von Grünberg incredulously in an interview with the CNA. Von Grünberg advocates Europe’s role in the resolution of the stalemate between Catalonia and Spain, a state, which according to him, is getting closer and closer to an authoritarian system.

“As European democrats we cannot look the other way with the excuse that we already have enough conflicts, and just watch while Spain reverts to an authoritarian system,” said the German Socialist, who has been MP in the Land of North Rhine Westphalia for 12 years and was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic. “We need a more democratic Europe,” Von Grünberg determined. He takes the stance that the lack of historical memory in Spain is one of the reasons for the current political deadlock.

Von Grünberg is also president of the rental law association of his land (German federal district). He supports the local rental law association in Barcelona to help create a more attractive legal framework for rental housing in Spain in order to promote more equal social and economic growth in Europe. On Wednesday, June 28, he will receive an award from APPEC, the Association of Catalan Periodicals, in Barcelona for his social and political involvement.

“I come often to Catalonia and Spain, because I am interested in the political situation,” said Von Grünberg, who was one of the international observers during the non-binding vote on independence on November 9, 2014. As he explains in comments to the CNA, the whole conflict caught his attention because he had learned at home how important it is to address true historical memory. “My father was a very well-known Nazi, so I have participated a lot in the historic memory processes in Bonn, and I think part of the problem in Spain today is they haven't addressed the Franco period. After 40 years it’s about time to face history and work things out. It is important for the cohesion of society,” the German ex-MP explained.

Asked about the lack of political dialogue in Spain, Grünberg said: “if a country claims to be a democracy it cannot be that 2 out of 7 million inhabitants demonstrate on the street and in Madrid politicians pretend that this is not of any concern.” Von Grünberg thinks it’s incomprehensible that despite the big peaceful civic demonstrations the only answer from Madrid is “you have to do what I say and that’s all there is to it”.