The first secretary of the PSC and socialist candidate to preside over the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, has maintained that the one who rejects the self-determination referendum demanded by the independence groups “is Catalan society”, which is “up to divisions” and asking that they be addressed the real problems of Catalonia.
“Whoever says no to a referendum, at least that is what I perceive in my daily contact with Catalan society, is Catalan society. Catalan society is tired of divisions, of highlighting what divides and separates us and that has led us to be unprepared to face the drought or to be last in education,” he said in an interview with TVE.
For Illa, there are a series of important issues for Catalans that politics has not addressed in ten years, such as water management, the advance of renewable energies, the health situation or safety on the streets, as well as the improvement in the economy, infrastructure or housing.
In this way, the socialist candidate has once again rejected the demands of Junts and ERC, which ask the central government to put on the table the holding of an agreed referendum on the independence of Catalonia. Previously, Illa had already assured that the consultation will not be held and that he does not plan to take “not a single step along the path of a referendum.”
On the other hand, Illa has shown himself willing to lead, as most surveys anticipate, to “lead” a new stage to “unite and serve the Catalans”, although to do so he has asked the rest of the parties not to block his investiture. .
“According to all the surveys, this option of opening a new time, of opening a new stage to unite and serve the Catalans, well, it is up to me to lead it. “I am going to assume that responsibility, I am going to attend, I am going to present my candidacy, to present the Generalitat and I hope that there is not a blocking attitude on the part of the other political formations,” he concluded.
In a subsequent interview in La Sexta, Illa reiterated that he will run for the investiture if the Catalan socialists are the force with the most votes on 12-M and asked the other parties to be “constructive.” “I am going to the investiture and I hope that they do not block, that they are constructive,” said Illa.
However, Illa did not clarify whether he would reach agreements with Junts after 12-M and only reiterated that he will speak with all parties except Vox and Aliança Catalana. “Puigdemont, rather than make me president, will leave politics,” Illa predicted as an “obvious” fact after the statements that the former Catalan president and leader of Junts has been making in recent days and with whom he has not contacted “in any way.” moment” of this campaign.
In fact, regarding the latest demonstrations in which he remembers the GAL episodes and points out that the PSOE is the “quick lime” party, Illa attributes this to the fact that “they are a product of nervousness, which is why he resorts to insults from the past.” .
He also delved into the idea that “the Government of the Generalitat is going to decide in Catalonia, thinking about Catalonia and for Catalonia” and “anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong”, regarding the possibility that it is La Moncloa who determines the pacts. of government.
