President offers dialogue ‘without conditions’ to Arrimadas

Catalan president Quim Torra has sent a letter to the head of the opposition Inés Arrimadas offering dialogue with “no conditions.”

Sent on Friday morning, in the letter Torra emphasized his “willingness” to talk “with  everyone,” stating how he hopes the  unionist Ciutadans (Cs) leader will begin a dialogue, as it is “what the citizens of the country deserve.”

In addition, the president defended “symbols and proclamations in favor of democracy, freedom and the rights of citizens.” One such symbol is a yellow ribbon hanging from the government headquarters in Barcelona, representing solidarity with Catalan leaders in jail or abroad.

Torra asserted that he will not demand that Cs renounce its own political project in order to be able to establish a “respectful” dialogue. He also remarked that his actions will always be guided by the decisions made in every moment the people of Catalonia.

Arrimadas responds

Arrimadas responded to the letter later stating that if Torra “wanted dialogue, he would rectify himself and make a gesture, but he only looks for confrontation” via Twitter.

“For the sincere and mature dialogue that Catalan society demands, it is necessary to respect basic democratic principles such as political plurality, institutional neutrality, and the law,” she said.

Refusal

On Thursday, Arrimadas said that she would not meet with Torra, who had invited her to talk on Friday morning at 10am. She demanded that the yellow ribbon hanging from the government headquarters’ balcony be removed.

Arrimadas also accused the Catalan president, Quim Torra, of only governing “for the people with a yellow ribbon.” This has become the most widespread sign of solidarity with the jailed and exiled pro-independence leaders. “If you also want to govern for the ones without a ribbon, remove the banner showing a ribbon in the Catalan government HQ,” she added in Parliament.