Two days on and the streets still look much the same as before the election. But of course we are now in a new phase. There was no absolute majority, Artur Mas will have to make a pact with another party in order to push things through Parliament. He seems to have two main options – ERC on the left who would not agree to continuing the policy of cuts in social services or PSC who actually lost a lot of support in this election.
I’ve been reading as much as possible both in foreign and local newpapers. It is interesting to see how much is written about it in English. Some British papers are following the line of Madrid and seeing only how Mas lost face and therefore seems disempowered. But others have seen the more complex realities – how people voted both For independence and Against the cuts. That seemed to be what many people were balancing up in their decisions of who to vote for. The call for a referendum is just as strong but there were also other issues to reflect on and even though Mas was applauded for his stance, it was necessary to let him know his parties financial policies were hated.
Today in Granollers there was a demonstration against the eviction of a family who, having lost their jobs, couldn’t pay the mortgage. Even though the government of the PP in Madrid had promised an end to evictions of vulnerable people, still the bank was going ahead as planned.
Everything feels in a state of flux and change.
Hi,
Interesting blog, which I have only just found – thanks to the beauties of twitter! I can see you’re much more regular with your blogging than me, though! There’s so much I’d like to say about the current situation we are experiencing in Catalunya, and so little time, but still … For me, one of Mas’ biggest problems is that very few people actually believed he could change his stance so dramatically and so quickly. Independentist friends I have known for over 20 year, many just didn’t believe him and as such were unwilling to offer him their “votes on loan” as he called it. The consequence, i’m afraid that the process will be put on hold, ERC will be very unwilling to support him, and if his govt. falters, the independence process will be put back in the drawer. Still, interesting days ….)
Best wishes from a Yorkshireman in Catalunya !
Hi Brian
Welcome! I found you on Twitter too. I agree we are living through interesting times in a very interesting country. In spite of my faulty Catalan I am trying to see the papers and the news every day as the process unfolds. I can’t see how a pact between ERC and CiU could work but I saw today that the Socialists have said they won’t pact. Whoever takes on that role might be sowing the seeds of their own destruction. What about the Liberals in the UK? Anyway, thanks for writing Kate
Thanks,
I’ve been here a bit longer than you I think (24 years) and I’m still trying to work it all out – so as they say, don’t worry, keep calm ….
The fear ERC has, I think, is that as a smaller partner in an 80s CiU coalition, they were taken to the cleaners (i.e virtually wiped out). Their next attempt at govt was in the “tri-partit” (2003-2010), which also ended badly. Many people believe they are an “opposition party”, not suited for governing … maybe? On top of these fears, anyone who joins CiU now must take on some of the responsibility for the austerity measures. However, many people (such as yours truly) who rate the independence of Catalunya much higher than the political future of ERC (or CiU), think they should throw caution to the wind and take a chance … looks like the final decision is going to be a 50/50 one, though, as Junqueras is determined (today) to be the Opposition Leader, offering constructive opposition, and support on key areas, and above all a united front on the referendum issue. We’ll just have to wait and see …
Thanks for the blog visit too, I’ll answer in a mo 🙂
Salut!!
Brian