MEP witness praises jailed former minister's 'commitment to democracy'
Called to testify in the upcoming independence trial, Ana Gomes backs Raül Romeva and criticizes Supreme Court for not allowing international observers
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“You are jailed for your ideas,” says Socialist MEP in letter to incarcerated official
Ana Gomes claims "liberation" of jailed leaders should be a "priority"
Portuguese MEP urges Spain to 'immediately' release 'political prisoners'
Socialist Ana Gomes says accusations against Catalan leaders are "politically manipulated" and asks new Spanish president to work towards a "democratic solution"
MEPs across political spectrum condemn Spain for having 'political prisoners'
Asking citizens is necessary, says European People's Party representative Franc Bogovic
Referendum raids and arrests cause ‘concern’ in Brussels
MEPs from different EU parties condemn action of Spanish police against Catalan executive, though European Commission declines to comment
MEPs urge Spanish government to allow Catalan referendum
Members of the European Parliament from different parties advocate for “immediate” negotiations to avoid "confrontation"
MEPs from all parties consider 9-N trial “counterproductive” and call for "political” solution
The trial over the 9-N symbolic vote on independence in 2014, which took before Barcelona’s High Court former Catalan President Artur Mas amongst other members of the Government has provoked reactions within and outside of Catalonia. MEPs from all parties have told the CNA that Catalonia and Spain should look for “a political” solution to their differences rather than resorting to the court. “Politicising the judiciary is always a wrong way”, stated ECR MEP Mark Demesmaeker, and lamented “the EU institutions’ silence” on this matter. “Europe can give good solutions”, EPP MEP Csaba Sógor pointed out and called for the 27 Member States to “be on the side of peace, dialogue and negotiation”. According to Ana Gomes, from the Socialists and Democrats, Spain’s response to Catalonia’s political aspirations “doesn't dissuade pro-independence supporters, it does rather the contrary”.
MEPs urge the EU to find a “democratic solution” for Catalonia
The European Union has a role to play in resolving the current stalemate in Catalonia, according to some of the MEPs that attended on Tuesday the Catalan President’s talk in the European Parliament. “This is a European issue, I have no doubt about that. Maybe some people are in denial”, said Social Democrat MEP from Portugal Ana Gomes. The Catalan request for a referendum on independence is “reasonable”, added the Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy, who was also in attendance at the conference. According to Renate Weber, a Liberal MEP from Romania, the issue should be solved through a democratic dialogue because, otherwise, “the international role will play a role”. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and now MEP in Brussels, Ivo Vajgl, said that the idea of explaining the Catalan Government plans in the European Parliament was “excellent” because Europe needs information on the issue.