Honorable Minister of the Presidency, Laura Vilagrawarned the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchezthat without self-determination referendum the Catalan political conflict “will not end”, which is why he hinted that Moncloa still had “many duties” pending with the independence movement.

In an interview with EFE, the number two of the Generalitat and direct interlocutor of the government in the process of open dialogue between the two executives, highlighted the progress made in this negotiation tablebut clarified that the objective of the ERC is now to deal with the referendum dossier.

“The independence process is not dead,” said Vilagrà, responding to Sánchez’s words a few weeks ago. “There were two files: the first, that of diversion, which for us still has a long way to go. And then that of self-determination, so that in Catalonia we can decide our political future.”

Although the Minister explained the “results” obtained in the diversion -like the graces, the repeal of the reform of the crime of sedition or embezzlement-, considered that this path should lead to a definitive “amnesty”.

But the Generalitat’s plan for 2023 is above all to explore the possibility of accepting a referendum: the president’s roadmap Father Aragonesfollowing the Canadian path, is committed to articulating this year a Clarity Agreementwhich would take place after an internal debate in Catalonia and the sum of alliances with political, economic, trade union and social actors.

Once this Catalan proposal – which would set the conditions for this referendum – articulated, it would be transferred to negotiation with the State, to then agree on the hypothetical consultation.

The minister was convinced that, despite the fact that the positions are “distant”, the two governments will be able to “work” on this file and allow this consultation.

“We know it’s complex and the path will not be easy, but we are absolutely convinced that is the line to end the political conflict. Without the vote of the citizens of Catalonia, the political conflict will not end,” he stressed.

“Duties linked to the independence movement”

Vilagrà, one of the main cogs in the dialogue table and in direct dialogue with the Minister of the Presidency, Felix Bolanosavoided giving details of the discreet contacts between the leaders, but implied that the government “knows” that ERC wants to “work on this issue” and that “with the independence movement, there are still many tasks to be accomplished”, including the referendum.

Because, he warned, President Pedro Sánchez “would be making a mistake if he thought that just by opening the diversion line, the conflict is over. On the contrary, the conflict is still in effect. not end. This file, as soon as possible, they must open it”.

And as to whether ERC will back Sánchez in a future inauguration if he doesn’t agree to those demands, the leader said his party needs to see “what does this legislature give of itself” and, then, “evaluate the success of this pathway and what results have been achieved”.

“Clarity Agreement”

This week, the House leader of To Comu Podem, Jessica Albiachassured that there is not in Parliament “a sufficient majority” for the pact of clarity defended by Aragonès, that he summoned to convene the table of Catalan parties to decide “among all” what is “the great proposal for the country”.

However, Vilagrà pointed out that the government yearns to finally add to the common to this Canada-style clarity agreement with Quebec: “The first thing is to reach agreements in Catalonia and to obtain support in Catalonia. Ideas often need a certain maturation to move forward and in the coming months we will work to get a powerful coalition to go strong in Madrid.”

The government “obviously has a party like En Comú Podem”, insisted not only to join this “coalition” for the referendum, but also to “make proposals” in this regard and “improve” the approach that the Generalitat adopts Madrid.