Freedom course: separatist government handles in Barcelona

The Spanish region of Catalonia continues to independence. The 38-year-old Pere Aragones has been elected by the parliament in Barcelona as president of the new government: with the votes of only three separatist parties. Aragones represents the leftist ERC, which, henceforth, is on the rules in conjunction with the liberal-conservative JuntsxCat, former head of government Carles Puigdemont, who is still in exile in Belgium. However, a majority in Parliament can only be achieved with the support of the radical leftist CUP. Once again, the three separatist parties say, which does not add anything other than the goal of independence from Spain –

Scotland as a model

However, the Aragons are considered less than charismatic political pragmatics who, unlike their conservative predecessor Quim Tora, seem more capable of at least entering negotiations with the government in Madrid. In any case, Aragon has initially prepared a referendum on independence based on the Scottish model, which is a goal for the moment.

Radical separatist

In the early election to the Catalan parliament, parties advocating secession from Spain won an absolute majority in mid-February. However, the parties are divided on the road to independence. While JuntsxCat and the CUP intend to implement a new independence referendum following an unsuccessful attempted secession in the autumn of 2017, the ERC advocates negotiations with the central government in Madrid.

Difficult negotiation

Due to these differences, the first two attempts to form a separatist government in late March failed. However a consensus was reached a few days ago. Aragones promised that he would “complete the road to freedom” during his tenure. “I want us to be like Scotland. And I want the Spanish state to behave like Great Britain in 2014.” He was referring to the referendum in Scotland, however, the majority was against independence.
After an illegal independence referendum, Catalonia was forcibly put under administration by the then conservative central government. The then regional president Carles Puigdemont fled to Belgium. Many separatists were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.