Party Review – PPC, the Catalan branch of the Conservative People’s Party

Barcelona (CNA).- The PPC will run in the 27-S elections with a new candidate. Despite obtaining its best results ever in the last Catalan elections, in 2012, its former presidential candidate, Alícia Sánchez Camacho, has been replaced by controversial former mayor of Badalona Xavier García Albiol, whom political opponents have accused of being xenophobic. Albiol’s statements regarding Catalonia’s independence have also been openly hostile and he has made it clear on many occasions that the Catalan push for independence is nothing but a “romantic adventure led by President Mas” that will lead to an “absolute disaster” for both Catalan companies and the whole of Catalan society. In the event that pro-independence parties win the 27-S elections, which are set to be a ‘de facto’ plebiscite on independence, Albiol has declared that he will “take those millions of Catalans who don’t want to stop being Spanish” onto the streets. “Our opponents are those who want to break Spain” he said, adding: “we want to fight our opponents on their playing field, which is the Parliament but also the street”.  

 

The political future of Catalonia and its hypothetical status as an independent country are the central points of debate in the upcoming 27-S elections, which are set to be a ‘de facto’ plebiscite on independence. The PPC’s position has been openly against Catalonia’s self-determination. The conservative party does not consider Catalonia to be a nation and therefore does not recognise its right to determine its own future. The PPC argues that the Spanish Constitution does not allow a referendum on independence in Catalonia and assumes that any move towards a unilateral declaration will be consequently stopped by the Constitutional Court. Despite highlighting the illegality of the process and the fact that an independent Catalonia would automatically be expelled from the EU, the PP is at the same time presenting the arguments of the ‘no’ campaign: the party is focusing its political message on the disadvantages of an independent Catalonia, depicting a dreadful economic and social scenario if Catalonia were to become independent, with pensions not being guaranteed and higher unemployment figures.

Reaction to a hypothetical victory of pro-independence parties

At a press conference held at CNA headquarters this Wednesday, PPC leader Xavier García Albiol was asked about his response to a hypothetical victory of pro-independence parties on the 27-S elections. “I think we should hit the streets” he stated “and get people out from their homes”, he said. Albiol stated that regardless the results, sometimes “it is necessary to express your opinion and your strength” and that so far this has only been made by “those who want to break up Spain”. He pointed out that the PPC’s main rival in this election is the pro-independence unitary list ‘Junts Pel Sí’ and that they have to fight “the opponents in their playing field; which is the Parliament but also the streets”. He pointed out that this should be done in a “pacific way” but “as conclusive and radical” as is his defence of a Catalonia within Spain.   

Relationship with Spain

Albiol suggested that President Mas’ goal is to “break the ties between Catalonia and Spain” and added “very clearly” that “there won’t be any possibility to reach any kind of agreement unless Artur Mas gives up his wish to separate Catalonia from the rest of Spain”. He stated that politics means dialogue but pointed out that it is not possible to engage in dialogue with those “who want to break up” Spain. Albiol made it clear that the day after the elections he will be keen on “talking to everybody”, including ‘Junts Pel Sí’, “at least out of political courtesy”. However, he reiterated that his first condition for engaging in any talks would be for Mas to give up on his “desire to break” Catalonia’s relationship with Spain.

International support

Regarding the internationalisation of Catalonia’s case and its push for independence, Albiol outlined that “if Catalonia becomes an independent country it will be banned from the EU” and added that this will have “disastrous consequences” for both companies and citizens. Albiol also referred to the recent statement made by US President Barack Obama, who said that the US is “deeply committed to maintaining relationships with a strong and unified Spain”. “It could be said louder but not clearer” said Albiol. “Merkel, Cameron and everybody who has responsibility in Europe and in the world expressed the same opinion. Who else does Mas need to confirm it? The Pope?” he said, ironically.

Independence would lead to a “corralito”

At the press conference, Xavier García Albiol showed a document that he claimed to be official and written by the Catalan Government’s Advisory Council for the National Transition (CATN), formed by renowned independent experts, which exposed the consequences of an independent Catalonia. “The document is from 2013 and was hidden in a drawer” he said, adding that it mentions the “financial instability” that could follow a hypothetical independence of Catalonia. According to Albiol, the document warns about a possible ‘corralito’, which is the informal name for the economic measures taken in Argentina at the end of 2001 in order to stop a run on the banks, and which implies almost freezing bank accounts and forbidding withdrawals. He insisted that it wasn’t him who was warning about the possibility of a ‘corralito’ but “the Catalan government itself”. “Is it worthy for Catalan families to take this risk?” he asked. “It is time to start laying on the table the real consequences of this adventure that, from Mas’ romantic perspective is very respectful, but from a realistic point of view will bring Catalan companies and Catalan people to ruin”, he stated.