Oct 1 referendum “politically” relevant, says Podemos leader in Catalonia

Albano Dante Fachin, leader of the Catalan branch of left wing Podemos party (Podem), stated that it will not be possible to ignore the October 1 referendum results. The Catalan branch of the organization has in fact strongly positioned itself as not pro-independence party. Indeed, it insists that the referendum scheduled to be held on October 1 won’t be legally binding. Fachin said that when addressing the “binding capacity of the referendum, it “doesn’t depend on the government of Catalonia,” but instead on “the Spanish government.”

Still, beyond the question of whether it’s legally binding or not, Fachin is very clear on the real implications of what will happen post-referendum. Speaking on behalf of Podem, he stated that “the voice of the people expressed on October 1 has to be heard.” He went on to say that, “politically,” no-one will be able to “ignore what people will say.”

A referendum for democracy

According to Fachin, for Podem “the conflict in Catalonia” is not about the possible yes or no outcomes of the upcoming referendum. In the context of the current situation where websites are being shut down, one of “repression in the streets,” as Fachin said, the question is more so about “democracy or no democracy.” And, in this situation, Podem Catalonia clearly stands “on the side of democracy,” Fachin said.