Jordi Juan 22/02/2021
Director of La Vanguardia
The week following the elections, Catalonia has sent a terrible image to the world due to the daily incidents that have been registered between protesters and police. The looting in Barcelona makes us more like Caracas than a European capital. The parties that today continue to govern the Generalitat, ERC and Junts, should reflect on whether this is the right way for their interests, encouraging permanent riots in the streets until they achieve independence, or perhaps it is better to put all the energy in agreeing a government stable and credible that manages the pandemic and the economic crisis.
Each one can draw the conclusions they want from the electoral results, but one fact is clear: Esquerra, who presented himself with a possible discourse to broaden the base, focus on managing autonomy and continue at the dialogue table with the central government, won over Junts, who defended unilateralism. It is true that ERC won with only one seat of difference, but it continues to behave as if it had lost. His first contact was with the CUP and he has taken too long to go out to defend the Catalan police Mossos and condemn the violence of these last days. Republicans are terrified of appearing too soft in their demands among the sovereign parish.
For this reason, the ERC leadership lacked the courage to leave Junts and try to govern alone with En Comú Podem, despite the bad relationship they have with the Puigdemont formation. It is clear that both pro-independence parties will eventually reach an agreement and avoid new elections. But it will not be easy.
In this crucial hour, ERC and Junts should turn to their more moderate sectors to impose the agreement that Catalonia needs. The altercations of recent days have been a lesson. And let’s say it clearly: you cannot legitimize violence with excuses such as freedom of expression or unemployment of young people. The country cannot afford another thrown legislature, with a leading role of the streets. Those harmed are the Catalans themselves. Neither the central government, nor the judiciary. This week we have seen what Catalonia can become. Hopefully the good sense of the moderates prevails.
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