Picabaralla in the European Parliament
The debate in the Petitions committee of the European Parliament on the report of the mission on language immersion in Catalan schools has generated controversy between progressive groups and conservatives. Accusations of impartiality by conservative groups, the only participants in the mission, have caused tensions with progressives.
Reactions of MEPs
ERC MEP Diana Riba has denounced the use of the committee for political campaigns and criticized the media spectacle. On the other hand, Junts MEP Toni Comín has asked the president of the committee, Dolors Montserrat, to be impartial.
Defense of the Mission
Montserrat has defended the mission, saying it was treated the same as the others and rejecting accusations of impartiality. Progressive groups have tried to postpone the discussion, arguing that there is not enough time to review the report.
Claims and Proposals
Progressives have demanded protection of their linguistic rights, while other MEPs have proposed a bilingual and balanced system. Vox MEP Jorge Buxadé has denounced language immersion as a ‘model of apartheid’.
Content of the Report
The report demands from the Spanish government a balanced distribution of vehicular languages in Catalonia and an improvement in communication and trust with families affected by the linguistic immersion model.