François Hollande calls for “recognising Catalonia’s singularity”
The former president of France makes an appeal to resolve the political crisis “by democratic means”
BarcelonaOn Monday former French president François Hollande spoke about the political situation in Catalonia and stated that “its singularity must be recognised”. Speaking for French media before the presentation of his latest book, Les leçons du pouvoir [The Lessons of Power] in Perpignan, Hollande made an appeal to “resolve the crisis by democratic means”. Even though he warned that he was not “authorised to intervene in the affairs of a country that is close to France”, he emphasised the need to respect democratic rights. “The only message I can bring is to respect rights, territorial integrity and diversity through the rule of law”, said the socialist leader in answer to a question from a reporter from Northern Catalonia.
Hollande had declined to comment on Catalonia’s independence process while he was in office, claiming that this was “an affair that concerned Spain’s sovereignty” and it was not for France to pass judgement.
When asked what he thought about Manuel Valls hypothetically running for mayor of Barcelona with the backing of Ciudadanos, Hollande was clear: “Nothing”. Valls, who is also a socialist and was prime minister under François Hollande, has stated that mid July he will reveal whether he will run as the Ciudadanos candidate for Barcelona city or not.
