The president of the Congress, Meritxell Batet (Barcelona, ??1973), repeats as a socialist candidate for Barcelona in the general elections, but the legislature has not been easy for her. To the pandemic has been added the roar of increasingly harsh parliamentary sessions. She faces the campaign with caution, to avoid stumbles like the one she had with the rents, precisely she, who knows what it is to be evicted.
The PSC did very well on 28-M, and the PSOE, very badly. Because?
I wouldn’t say too bad. There are places where the PSOE has won (Extremadura or the Canary Islands) and will not be able to govern. On the other hand, it is true that the PSC has fared substantially better. An upward trend in the PSC is consolidated thanks to the courage of the Sánchez Government’s policies.
It is said that Spain cannot be governed without Catalonia, but with it alone it seems that neither.
In order to govern Spain well, it is very important to understand Catalonia and that means having good results in Catalonia. When you want to structure a country and make policies to unite citizens, it is important to have good results in Catalonia and to understand it well.
How would you define the legislature?
It has had a very positive part in which Parliament has more than fulfilled its legislative function. We have approved more than 200 laws, three state budgets and ministers and the president have appeared more than ever. The circumstances have been very exceptional due to the pandemic, but the Parliament never shuts down and we held more sessions than were due precisely because of the pandemic.
Has the battle in Congress arrived to stay?
This is the other side of the coin. Insults, disrespect and dehumanization of the opponent have become widespread all too often. We have returned to the friend-enemy dialectic, when in politics there are only adversaries. We have seen this against the figure of the president, to whom they have dedicated an excess of personal attacks that sought to generate rejection towards his person.
Which group hates him the most for his behavior?
Those on the right have raised the tone, they have taken the lead in more interruptions, shouts, blows… It can be seen in the development of the parliamentary sessions.
The far right is growing…
The most worrying thing is not that it grows, but that traditional, governing parties, with a long history, assume their principles and values. It is worrying for democratic institutionalism. There is no democracy without institutions, which is why it is important to take care of institutions and put people who believe in them in charge.
Is this election a fight between good guys and bad guys?
They are a battle between President Sánchez and Mr. Feijóo, the only ones who can be president and who have completely different projects for the country. Sánchez is committed to a strong Spain within the EU and recognized internationally, and Feijóo’s policies contrast with the recognition of rights, the ecological transition and the 2030 Agenda agreed at the United Nations.
Was he wrong when he said most people can afford the rent?
I have suffered first hand the consequences of not being able to pay a mortgage. I wanted to reflect that this Government has done more than any other for citizens who suffer from this situation, and that it will continue to protect the most vulnerable tenants, for example with the suspension of evictions or the one-year extension of contracts for vulnerable families.
How is the management of Catalonia seen from Madrid?
You have to ask yourself if Catalonia is better or worse than in 2017 and the answer is clear. Catalonia is much better and it is due to the brave policies of Sánchez, who has opted for coexistence. Today Spain is better than in 2017 because Catalonia is better.
Is this understood in Madrid?
It is understood when you know the reality of Catalonia. You only need to walk through its streets. For the first time in years, Catalonia is talking about real policies.
Should the dialogue table continue to meet after 23-J?
The dialogue is essential to be maintained. I myself, when I was Minister of Territorial Policy, convened the bilateral commission, which had not met for nine years. It is good for institutions to maintain a fluid relationship to work cooperatively and loyally for the benefit of citizens.
Does it take for granted that it will not meet if the PP wins?
This should be answered by them, but seeing the precedents it is difficult to maintain loyalty, the vocation for dialogue and the bet for coexistence with the PP.
Sumar undertakes to submit to a referendum the agreement that emerges from the dialogue table. The PSC too?
The PSC is betting on moving forward, not going backwards. In this too.
What does advance mean?
We have had this debate for ten years in Catalonia and what we have to do is look forward and not return to the past.
Will a definitive solution be impossible without Puigdemont?
In this legislature, the territorial crisis has been managed to be resolved. A road has been built where there was none, but it is a long road. When Sánchez came to Government we only talked about the Catalan crisis, also when we traveled abroad. Today that doesn’t happen. It’s no longer a problem.
What do you think of Trias’s bid to agree with the PP?
Trias’s bet for the PP comes from afar. The right has always agreed when necessary.
Will ERC raise its price in the face of a possible Sánchez investment?
Betting on intermediaries is betting on a risk and I don’t think it’s time to take risks.
