Three out of four Catalans want Catalan language to be official in European Union

Three out of four Catalans, an overall of 73%, are in or very much in favor of seeing the Catalan language in the European Union, according to a general survey by the CEO, a Catalan-government-owned survey agency.

The survey was made between March 12 and May 19, before the European Elections on June 9.

Of those surveyed, 39% are very in favor, and 34% are in favor of such a thing. On the other hand, 26% are against it, and 18% disagree with seeing the Catalan language made official in European Union institutions, and 8% completely disagree.

Those who have Spanish as their native language are also favorable to seeing Catalan as an official language in the EU, with 61% support, while 38% are against it.

Most voters of pro-independence Junts, Esquerra, and far-left CUP, as well as left-wing Comuns-Sumar, are very much in favor or in favor of Catalan.

Meanwhile, 73% of Socialist voters are in favor, and 70% of People's Party and far-right Vox voters are against it.

States blocking

In September last year, the Spanish government and Catalan pro-independence parties joined forces in an attempt to make Catalan official in the EU during Spain's presidency. 

However, the proposal faced setbacks as it was met with skepticism from several member states, particularly regarding its legal, political and economic implications, and the issue eventually stalled. 

The EU presidency passed to Belgium at the turn of the year, but despite Belgium's intention to move the proposal forward, discussions were once again postponed due to a lack of progress in assessing its impact.   

Catalan Foreign Minister Meritxell Serret has already held informal talks with Hungary, the next rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, to ensure that efforts to make Catalan an official EU language continue.

The proposal to change the EU's language policy requires unanimous support from all 27 member states, and while no European state has outright vetoed it, doubts remain, especially in countries with other minority languages, such as Lithuania or Finland. 

In addition, an economic analysis by the European Commission and a legal report by the Council are required

Catalan in European Parliament

Apart from the official recognition, Catalan could be used in the European Parliament if the majority of the European Parliament Bureau votes in favor, which means seven vice presidents.  

But the Socialist Group and the Greens - European Free Alliance do not have that majority and seeing the EU election results, the new Parliament will be dominated by right-wing MEPs who do not support the initiative.