Puigdemont would consider including Madrid’s proposal “against independence" in a negotiated referendum question

MadridOn Monday morning Catalan President Carles Puigdemont participated in a media event in Madrid in which he stated that "Spain needs a plan; Catalonia has one, Spain does not", since the Spanish state’s only plan is to "frustrate Catalonia’s desire for self-determination," a situation in which "everyone is the loser".

"We continue to offer an open invitation to those in favour of finding a political solution," he continued, referring to the search for a negotiated referendum in conjunction with Spanish institutions.

"When Spanish politics awakens from its deadlock, the Catalan proposal will still be there", he said, in a conciliatory tone, without ruling out the negotiation of details such as what the question ought to be or whether the term “independence” can be used as opposed to Madrid’s proposal. Puigdemont has also shown himself to be open to calling a moratorium to decide how much time ought to pass before holding another referendum. If no progress is made, he has made it clear that he would go ahead with the non-negotiated referendum.

"If the Spanish state makes a proposal, such as a constitutional reform or better funding for Catalonia, we will establish what it means to vote yes or vote no", he replied in response to a question.

Opposed to judicialisation

"We need a political solution, one which is made in parliaments, in debating chambers and at the ballot box", but "not by the courts", insisted the Catalan president, who has not ruled out mass protests if those charged over 9-N [the non-binding referendum held on 9 November 2014] and the Speaker of the Catalan parliament, Carme Forcadell are eventually banned from office.

Puigdemont declared "we need serenity and political dialogue", while seeking a "solution to the Catalan question" that cannot be achieved without "courage." He summarised the latest developments in the ‘process’, concluding that —after the events of last week— it has a stronger parliamentary majority with a very broad majority in favour of the referendum.

Absence of both the PP and the PSOE

The event was attended by ambassadors from several countries and representatives of the Catalan government, among other interested groups, though not the main Spanish political parties. Puigdemont declared himself "convinced" that Catalonia’s budget for next year will go ahead, and not only appealed to the CUP, but to every party that "wishes to improve people's lives".

"No Nobel Prize laureate has endorsed the theory that Catalonia would wander through space forever and ever, but they have backed the theory that an independent Catalonia would be economically viable. One of their key arguments has come undone", Puigdemont stated in reference to the words of Joseph Stiglitz last week in Barcelona.

Puigdemont considers that the PSOE’s hypothetical support for the investiture of Mariano Rajoy will fail to bring stability since external governability cannot be achieved without external force, thus condemning Spain to a weak legislature with a third general election in sight: "Live or recorded".

Following the morning’s media event, Puigdemont was due to meet with the leader of Podemos, Pablo Iglesias. He was not expected to hold meetings with any other leaders of Spanish political parties.