Unionist breaking-off between democrats and non-democrats

On September 27^th 2012, the Catalan parliament authorized a referendum for independence, with 84 votes in favor and 21 against, out of a total of 135. On January 23^rd 2013, the Parliament voted in favor of a declaration of sovereignty, with 85 votes in favor and 41 against. The reason for the considerable increase in unionist votes is that the main unionist party in Catalonia (PSOE) had changed its strategy: in the first round they abstained, but in the second one they sided with the unionist opposition.

This change is the direct result of orders received from Madrid. Catalan PSOE is against independence, although they do support federalism, which theoretically is based on Catalonia being a sovereign nation—because you cannot federate without already being sovereign. So, PSOE ordered its Catalan section to vote against the declaration for Catalonia's right to self-determination.

This is the very same party that had recognized the right to self-determination for the Iberian nations in its 1974 congress held in Suresnes, France. Back then, PSOE was closer to the proponents of democracy and Franco's opposition. Things have radically changed since: nowadays this party favors Spanish nationalism over democracy. However, this change of attitude does not come without a price.

First, a few weeks ago some Catalan PSOE members left the party in order to create a new party called New Catalan Left. This party considers that Catalonia has the right to self-determination.

Then, on January 23^rd 2013, five Catalan PSOE MP's refused to vote according to party lines. They decided to abstain (instead of voting against,) just as their party had done in the September 2012 vote. PSOE's response was clear—they rewarded their exercise of freedom... by fining them.

Lastly, some people in the party are beginning to speak up in favor of those five dissenting MP's. Former Catalan minister Ms. Montserrat Tura recently answered to pressures from another PSOE member by saying: “Not even Franco's dictatorshipmanaged to keep me quiet, and neither will you.” Local sections of Catalan PSOE have denied that they follow orders from Madrid. Also, PSOE members in the city of Igualada declared themselves in favor of a referendum for independence. In the town of Lleida, two out of seven PSOE councilmen refused to vote against democracy. In Girona, PSOE's spokesman openly voiced his support to the five dissenting MP's. PSOE in the city of Granollers, together with a few mayors, signed a manifesto in favor of self-determination. Former spokesman for PSOE at the Catalan Parliament, Mr. Joaquim Nadal resigned from all posts in the party.

The division is not simply between pro-independence and unionist members—Catalan PSOE is unequivocally in favor of Spain's unity. The real rift is between those who embrace neo-Francoist positions similar to those held by Spain's conservative party (PP), and those who remain loyal to democracy.

Jordi Vàzquez

@JordiVazquez

Blogger, Author of 'El moviment nacional escocès'.
Founder member of Plataforma per la Llengua, 'Llengües Vives', 'Synergia-Bulletin about European Nations' (23 issues, 1997-2004) and former member of the students union BEI, political movement JNC, Plaid Cymru and Celtic League.