Catalan Minister Neus Munté denounces "persecution of the democratic spirit" by Spanish government during Madrid visit

MadridWhile presiding over an institutional event for the Diada at the Catalan government’s Madrid office, Neus Munté —Catalonia’s Minister for the Presidency— denounced on Wednesday the "persecution of the democratic spirit" by the Spanish government. This is exemplified, she said, by the "constant use of the courts of law for something that can only be resolved through politics”.

In a statement to the media, she cited as examples the appearance by former Minister of the Presidency Francesc Homs before Madrid’s High Court next Monday for "having facilitated the Catalan people's right to decide and to voice their opinions about our collective future freely", as well as the threat of disqualification against Carme Forcadell, the Speaker of the Catalan chamber, "for promoting the normal workings of a democratic chamber such as the Catalan Parliament”.

All of this, she said, stands in contrast to the spirit of a Diada that has been noted for "participation and civility" and the actions of the Catalan government, which continues working to "move forward with a roadmap approved at the polls”, with a "constant appeal to democracy and the free choice of the people”.

Along these lines she assured that, as happened with Artur Mas, former President of the Generalitat, as well as Ministers Ortega and Rigau and Speaker Forcadell, Homs will receive "the full support" of the Catalan government next Monday.

In her institutional speech, Munté noted that the Catalan government acts "for all Catalans, without distinction", and is determined "to give the people a chance to be heard so they can decide their own collective future" while "seeking dialogue despite Madrid’s persistent refusal". She stated that a good part of Catalan society believes that the Spanish government is "incapable" of devising a fit for Catalonia, and assured that the government has a "roadmap" and “it will continue to be loyal to the mandate it has received".

Diada event in Madrid

Munté made these statements during Wednesday's institutional celebration of the Diada at Catalonia’s legation in Madrid. The event was also attended by Carles Mundó, Minister of Justice, joined by the government's representative in Madrid, Ferran Mascarell, and historian Borja de Riquer --who gave a lecture entitled "The Eleventh of September, Today". The event also included performances by singer Monica Green and tenor Roger Reyes.

In his speech, Ferran Mascarell, the government's representative in Madrid, stressed that despite the "notable differences" between Catalonia and Spain, there exists "the opportunity to break outdated molds" to "make it possible for dialogue, reason, and democracy to allow us to move forward". On this point he said that he is "convinced that we have the opportunity to begin to write a book based on the effects that we desire, the cooperation that we need, and the fraternity that we crave".