The capitulation of Spain to the Catalan separatists took place in Brussels, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. It was signed by Santos Cerdán and Jordi Turull, but the image that will go down in history will be that of a scarred and gray Cerdán before a condescending Carles Puigdemont.
The PSOE, party in the Government of Spain, and the Catalan separatist formation Junts per Catalunya signed an agreement to unblock Sánchez’s investiture, which, in addition to including as a main pact the amnesty of the separatists prosecuted, fully assumes and without any reservation the nationalist story justifying the Catalan secession. In fact, almost half of the text of the agreement is dedicated (under the heading “Background”) to a cumbersome and calculated list of grievances, which unabashedly avoids capital episodes such as the disconnection laws. And in the following heading (“Historical opportunity”) things are made clear, saying that “these agreements must respond to the majority demands of the Parliament of Catalonia which (…) legitimately represents the people of Catalonia”, the which implies that the Socialist Party admits the implicit reduction of Spanish national sovereignty. Consequently, everything has already been said before getting into the matter: the separatists are right and Catalonia must decide. That said, let’s look at the deals:
1) Self-determination: the separatists consider “the result and the mandate of the referendum of October 1 as legitimate, as well as the declaration of independence of October 27, 2017”. And it is true that the socialists “deny all legality and validity to the referendum and the declaration”. But, taking into account that, as we have seen, “these agreements must respond to the majority demands of the Parliament of Catalonia”, the deduction is clear: there will be a referendum on self-determination in Catalonia, under this or another name, in the under Article 92 of the Constitution.
2) Accompaniment, verification and follow-up mechanism: its simple existence implies the implicit and reciprocal acceptance by the two parties representing two sovereign countries (Spain and Catalonia) on the way to agreeing on their separation, which is why they need mediation from a neutral third party.
3) Self-control of own resources: will proceed immediately, if the Catalan Parliament (which, let’s remember, is sovereign), “amends the Lofca that establishes an exception clause for Catalonia (.. .) that facilitates the transfer of 100% of all taxes paid in Catalonia”.
4) Plan to facilitate and promote the return to Catalonia of the headquarters that moved “in recent years”: although, according to the results of the agreement, Catalonia may in the near future be an independent country.
5) Amnesty: highlights the explicit mention that “will be taken into account in the application of the amnesty law (…) situations included in the concept of lawfare or judicialization of politics”. This leaves the door open for the Spanish judges competent in the cases arising from the process to be summoned before a parliamentary committee to answer the questions asked about the motivation of their judgments.
6) Direct participation of Catalonia in European institutions: as a logical corollary of what has been agreed, Catalonia must have its own voice in Europe.
During the investiture session, Miriam Nogueras demanded from President Sánchez, in a stern speech, that he be brave and fulfill his pact if he wants to sustain the legislature. To which Pedro Sánchez replied, stinking and contrite: “You count on the commitment of the PSOE and mine to comply with the agreement”. If this is so, Catalonia will be independent during the next legislature. But it is also true that, with President Sánchez in the middle, you never know how things will end. In any case, Spain has already capitulated.
In summary: Sovereign Catalan Parliament, amnesty, full financial autonomy and political review of court rulings. She will be able to wear make-up, but that is what has been agreed. All for an investment? No. There is something a little deeper: a shared will to dismiss.
