The current situation in Catalan politics did not start in 2017 or with the Constitutional Court ruling on the Statute. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to March 2006, when the decision of ERC to vote against the reform of the Statute in Congress marked the beginning of a struggle that has continued to define Catalan politics. At that time, Convergència did not hold the presidency of the Generalitat, but was already irresponsibly pushing the boundaries in Parliament. The final wording of the Statute was ultimately lowered through a clever move by Artur Mas, who outmaneuvered President Pasqual Maragall and his party.
The referendum on the Statute in June 2006 was approved without much enthusiasm, and the PP continuously undermined the Socialist government, eventually filing a lawsuit and influencing the composition of the Constitutional Court. The self-government of Catalonia suffered a significant setback that day. When the Republicans said no, the Convergents immediately reacted by accusing them of aligning with the PP to maintain the status quo. This kind of patriotic blackmail rhetoric is now dominating Junts, echoing through social media and aimed at influencing the vote of ERC members in the consultation on the agreement with the PSC.
The potential betrayal of the independence movement by ERC could lead to a revitalization of self-government in Catalonia not seen since the Majèstic pact. While this might mean the end of the independence process, it could also pave the way for a new, alternative approach to the simplistic unionist/independentist dichotomy that has polarized Catalan society for too long. Questions arise about the potential progress in foreign affairs, Catalan sports teams, and support for the Catalan language, as well as whether a negotiation with the Ministry of Finance could allow the Generalitat to collect taxes, starting with income tax within a year and a half.
If the agreement had been signed by Convergents, Salvador Illa would likely be elected president without question. The possibility of Carles Puigdemont’s return and the potential for another crisis in Spain loom large. The complexities of Catalan politics and the decisions made in the coming days will have far-reaching consequences. The impact of these decisions will be felt not only in Catalonia but also throughout Spain. Only by closely following the developments and understanding the underlying dynamics can one fully grasp the gravity of the current situation.
