On Monday 2 September, Amadeu Altafaj i Tardio, the representative of the autonomous community of Catalonia to the European institutions explained to a press briefing that given the very high level of caution displayed by the European Commission in the immediate aftermath of the referendum vote on the independence of Catalonia, the latter is now currently exploring the different avenues of mediation. These avenues would include “a European and non-European” hybrid, in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis following the Catalan referendum on independence.
The Commission provided a measured response in a press release read out by its spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, following the Catalan referendum in which the “yes” side won by an overwhelming 90% majority with a 42% participation rate but which was marred by violent police repression that saw more than 800 people injured. The spokesperson therefore called for dialogue to be resumed and stated that “violence” was not an appropriate “political instrument” but did not provide any other specific comments on the matter.
Addressing a group of journalists, the Catalan representative did not regard the declaration made by the Commission as adequate and pointed out that there had been no mention of the more than 800 Catalan victims of police violence. The representative also regretted the overall wait-and-see attitude displayed by the Commission. Mr Altafaj explained that on Sunday 1 October, following the first incidents of police violence against Catalan citizens, he had contacted the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Junker’s team calling on them to launch an appeal to limit the use of violence. He explained that this request had been rejected. He also explained that the team confirmed that the European Commission had not changed its position about holding a referendum.
Following on from the President of the Catalan Government, who, during the day called for international mediation, Mr Altafaj was unable to clarify what form this mediation should take and stated that a “European and non-European” solution could be envisaged but did not provide any further details on the matter. He also suggested that there was little chance that the European Commission alone would be able to play this role because the institution is in a vulnerable position, “a European Commission is strong when the member states support it”.
Moreover, he also thought it would be difficult for the Commission, which is still stuck in a torment provoked by Brexit and a variety of different crises, particularly with Poland, to initiate action against a large member state like Spain. He also considers that there is a certain political solidarity that exists, given that Mariono Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister belongs to the same political family as the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. In this regard, the Catalan representative emphasised that three important European posts were overseen by EPP politicians such as Antonio Tajani, as President of the European Parliament and Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.
Mr. Altafaj believes that even if the European Commission is unable to play the role of mediator, it could undertake a large variety of “public” and more “discreet” actions. For the time being, any wish by the Commission to play the role of mediator is not apparent. Therefore, on the question of mediation, Mr Margaritis explained that it was up to Spain and Catalonia to decide on what should follow, “The Commission does not have a role to play at this stage”. As one Commission source explained to us, it is necessary for the two parties involved to request the Commission to play a mediating role, so that the latter is indeed able to do so.
A positive sign? In the afternoon, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, spoke together on the telephone. The content of the exchange had not been disclosed when we went to press, but for the permanent representative this is a “positive sign”.
European Council and European Parliament presidents very lukewarm. Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, declared soberly today on Twitter that after his discussions with the Spanish Prime Minister, he shared “his constitutional arguments” but pointed out that they needed to “find a way to avoid any escalation or use of force”. Antonio Tajani, the President of the European Parliament, has not taken a position on the matter.
Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee presidents denounce violence. Speaking on the RTBF on Monday 2 October, the President of the Committee of the Regions, Karl-Heinz Lambertz stated that he was “very sad” by the images he had seen and called for dialogue between the different parties. He criticised the political silence on the European level: “saying ‘we are not making any comments’ will not last very long if there is a continuing escalation (sic)”. Similarly, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Georgios Dassis, informed EUROPE that he “totally condemned the violence” and judged it “unacceptable”, but also called for dialogue. The President of the EESC said that the Catalans had the right to demand greater autonomy but judged that a change in border was not a solution.
Following procrastination, European Parliament finally tackles the question
Meeting up for a plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will hold a special debate at the beginning of the afternoon on Wednesday 4 October on the events that have occurred in Catalonia.
This decision was taken on Monday at the beginning of the session and follows the specific declaration made by the Parliament's president, Antonio Tajani, regarding the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Marseille and Las Vegas but without any mention of Catalonia.
MEPs voted by a show of hands that they were going to hold a debate on Wednesday regarding the Catalan question. They then debated the title of what this debate should be. Although the co-president of the Greens/EFA, Ska Keller, from Germany, proposed to focus discussions on the condemnation of police violence against citizens wishing to express their opinion, Françoise Grossetête, on behalf of the EPP group, called for the debate to focus on respect for the rule of law and national constitutions.
MEPs finally opted for a broader debate title that will allow everyone to give their personal comments on the issue. They therefore took on board the following suggestion by Mandred Weber (EPP, Germany), which was based on an initial proposal by the S&D group and supported by the liberals: “Constitution, rule of law, fundamental rights in light of the events in Catalonia”.
On the other hand, the European Parliament will not be adopting any specific resolution on the Catalan referendum. Such an initiative would constitute interference in the domestic affairs of a member state, according to the President of the GUE/NGL (Germany) Gabriele Zimmer.
One thing, however, is certain according to Mr Altafaj, Catalonia will declare independence in the next few days. According to the referendum law, the declaration of Catalonia’s independence should take place in the 48 hours following the vote, which is likely to be on Wednesday. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens, Mathieu Bion, Solenn Paulic, Lucas Tripoteau and Camille-Cerise Gessant)