Salvador Illa, the candidate for the PSC in the Catalan elections, has criticized the independence parties for not moving on and leaving Catalonia in a worse state after a decade of the “procés”. He expressed his desire to “unite” Catalonia and questioned the proposal for a referendum launched by President Pere Aragonès. Illa questioned the intentions of Carles Puigdemont, candidate for Junts, who announced a referendum in this legislature, stating that his approach is not in line with society.
On the issue of territorial matters, Illa is against a referendum and pointed to the example of the United Kingdom, which is facing challenges after Brexit. He expressed skepticism about the need for a consultation in Catalonia. As the favorite in all polls to win the elections, Illa did not want to discuss potential governance agreements, but he did indicate a willingness to negotiate with all political groups except Vox and the far-right Aliança Catalana. He emphasized the importance of finding common ground on crucial issues such as language, citing the situation in Galicia under Feijóo as an example.
Regarding the purchase of masks during the Covid-19 pandemic when he was Minister of Health, Illa stated that he is willing to provide explanations about the procurement of medical supplies. He acknowledged that while most individuals were well-intentioned in their efforts to secure supplies at no cost, there were also those who took advantage of the situation. Illa emphasized the need for those who engaged in wrongdoing to face legal consequences.
Illa highlighted the need to address pressing issues such as drought, education, and healthcare in Catalonia, stating that the region lagged behind the rest of Spain in many respects. He called for a focus on finding solutions to these challenges rather than revisiting past debates. He questioned the logic of proposing a referendum on independence shortly after offering a pact on fiscal matters, implying a lack of coherence in the approach of the independence parties.
While Illa did not disclose specific plans for forming alliances in the event of a victory in the election, he expressed a willingness to collaborate with various political forces to govern effectively. He ruled out cooperation with Vox and Aliança Catalana due to their extremist ideologies. Illa emphasized the importance of seeking consensus on crucial issues such as language policy, pointing to the positive example of reaching an agreement in Galicia. He underlined the need to prioritize the interests of Catalonia and its citizens in any future decision-making processes.
