Turn the page on “ten lost, bad years” for Catalonia in which the process has neglected public services. This is the story of the campaign of Salvador Illa (La Roca del Vallès, 1966) with a view to the 12th M. Aware that independence will emphasize the shortcomings in terms of financing, the PSC candidate assures that only he would be able to obtain “fair and effective” financing. That is why he asks ERC and Junts to allow him to govern.
Was Puigdemont expected to announce his candidacy?
It has already been presented on two occasions. It’s a decision I respect. I’m not asking anyone to give up their political ideas, what I’m asking is that when they step on Catalonia, they do it with their feet on the ground, and for ten years some have not, that’s why Catalonia is the way it is. We are not prepared for the drought, we have not updated our infrastructure, nothing has been done in terms of energy, neither in terms of security, and we are behind Spain in education. We touch the ground.
Puigdemont boasts of having “dragged” the State with the amnesty.
Amnesty is normalized in Catalonia. What we are doing is politically normalizing what is already normalized on the street. It is aimed at the whole of Catalan society, which wants to turn over ten lost years. Some lack the courage to recognize the generosity and strength of Spanish democracy.
Is Puigdemont giving ammunition to the PP?
The extremes always feed. I am addressing all Catalans and to unite them I will prioritize public services: education, health, security, infrastructure… Uniting and serving, this is the way to turn the page and give back and strengthen Catalonia’s self-government. No divided country can face the context in which we live.
Aren’t you afraid that the campaign will talk more about independence than other issues?
Everyone will make the approach that they think is appropriate. I am talking about what I think is right for Catalonia, and that is to turn the page by uniting Catalans, recognizing their plurality and diversity and making public services a priority for the Government. I think it is the approach that Catalonia deserves and that the majority is asking for.
The low execution of investments in Catalonia will be an argument that independence will exploit.
State investments in Catalonia have increased enormously under the socialist governments. During the years of the pandemic, contributions were made to lost funds, and in terms of financing, the failure of ERC and Junts, also of Mr. Puigdemont, has been total and absolute, because they have achieved nothing. They have been in other things. With all humility, the only president of the Generalitat who can achieve fair and effective funding, which brings more resources to Catalonia, is myself and that is what I will do. Negotiator, with loyalty and without seeking privileges.
What is this PSC funding proposal based on?
First of all, to fulfill the autonomy of Catalonia, which establishes the creation of a tax consortium that has passed the filter of the Constitutional Court. They have not done anything in this either, nor have they taken the seats at the negotiating tables. They have only complained and generated frustration.
Is this more appealing than own tax management?
This is to generate frustration. We don’t do what we can do and we ask for things that only create frustration.
40% of PSC voters are against the amnesty, according to the CEO.
I can understand that there are citizens who are reluctant, but trust is more powerful than fear, and affection is more powerful than hate. We Catalans must not forget what has happened, but we must have the ability to forgive, to look forward. Catalonia deserves to unite to make top-level public policies that are an example in Spain and Europe.
Can the amnesty be the door to revive the process?
It’s the opposite. Once we have established the strength of our democratic system, we must be generous in order to turn the page. We turned the page with pardons and an Amnesty law, which normalizes Catalonia politically, socially and institutionally.
Polls give it up to 42 seats. enough?
I aspire to have maximum support from the public. I do it with respect and politeness, with an approach that addresses everyone, whether they are right-wing or left-wing, pro-independence or not, and I approach polls with caution. But I am ready to lead a Catalonia that reaches its best levels of self-esteem, pride and prosperity.
The key is not to reissue the pro-independence majority?
It’s a majority that hasn’t achieved anything… It’s been a few years with many elections. I assume the commitment that if I am president there will be stability and the legislature will run out, something that has not happened since President Montilla. It has been a constant period of instability, with unfocused priorities and objectives, not focused on the specific problems of the citizens.
Who do you see yourself making a deal with?
My goal is to have the broad confidence of the citizens to make a strong, stable Government. I think it is clear that in recent years the PSC has been the center of gravity of Catalan politics, the key to major agreements. Let the Catalans speak on May 12.
Is a progressive agreement more appreciated or is it not decisive?
We take a social democratic approach, but we are open to reaching agreements without vetoes. The only agreement I reject is against hate speech, whether by Abascal or Orriols. What I have done, I am in a position to ask the rest: let him govern who obtains the majority of Catalans’ trust. Respect what the people of Catalonia say.
There have been headlines in which they tried to relate it to the Koldo case. Have you had to review papers?
Things were done well at the Ministry of Health and I want to acknowledge all the work that was done. There was a team that centralized purchases with technical criteria and I am very calm and confident. I have given all the explanations and I am ready to continue giving them when called upon.
Can this case hurt your aspirations?
The most important thing is how you react. Our political space has reacted forcefully and I call on citizens to compare. It is not the attitude I see in other formations.
What did you think of Ábalos’ decision to go to the mixed group?
I’m disappointed.
In the case of Ayuso’s couple, should there be a resignation?
I understand politics in a very different way from Mrs. Ayuso, as a public service, not as a conquest of power at all costs. What is known is serious enough for him to give explanations and make decisions.
Will we end up suffering from water restrictions?
Hopefully not, but it can’t be ruled out. Nothing has been done in ten years and the ACA has devoted itself to making cash. It is necessary to go more quickly in the execution of the works and not take advantage of the situation to bet on an economic model of decline.
Did he try to talk Albiach into getting the commons to approve the budgets?
At the end of last year I told Albiach what the PSC’s approach would be. We did not want the Catalans to pay for a Government that had lost its footing in a context of drought, but we would negotiate some budgets without entering into the exchange of trading cards. Together and the CUP have put their party interests before those of the country. The PSC does not. This is thinking generously and without vetoes.
Why is Hard Rock so important?
What we can’t do is have things stuck for six years. This is a project that obtained a license, has the consent of the territory and we are in a State of law, therefore, it is necessary to comply with its processing. Catalonia must aspire to have a framework of stability and certainty.
Was the electoral advance expected?
No. We have been ready for a long time and I also see the country ready, but I did not think that this electoral advance would come.
