The Department of the Interior expresses its displeasure
The Department of the Interior of Catalonia has expressed its displeasure with the Spanish government for the cancellation of the Catalan Security Council, which was scheduled for next week. The aim of this meeting was to address the expansion of the powers of the Mossos d’Esquadra at the port and airport, as well as in environmental matters. The Minister of the Interior, Joan Ignasi Elena, has accused the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, of suspending the meeting unilaterally and has linked this decision to the calling of elections to the Parliament. In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Elena expressed her displeasure and discomfort with this maneuver by Moncloa, stating that security should not be used as a political weapon.
Concern about the repercussions of cancellation
The Minister of the Interior has expressed his concern about the repercussions of the cancellation of the Catalan Security Council. According to Elena, this meeting was the culmination of previous work and very complicated negotiations. Since 2018, only two security meetings have been held in Catalonia, and on this occasion many issues relevant to the security of the country had to be finalized. Elena has affirmed that the decision to suspend the meeting responds to partisan reasons and has regretted that security has been used as a bargaining chip in the electoral context.
Criticism of the PSC and Salvador Illa
The Minister of the Interior has criticized the PSC and Salvador Illa for prioritizing the party’s electoral interests over Catalonia’s security needs. Elena has regretted that the work done in recent months has been stopped due to the reluctance of the PSC to recognize the advances in security and to interpret them as a joint success for Catalans. The councilor has highlighted the importance of increasing the powers of the Mossos d’Esquadra and their role in the security of the country, and has affirmed that these issues should not be used for partisan purposes.
Repercussions of the cancellation of the meeting
The cancellation of the Catalan Safety Board has several important repercussions. Firstly, the expansion of the role of the Mossos d’Esquadra in the investigation of crimes against the environment, which is currently led by the Seprona unit of the Civil Guard, has been frozen. In addition, the increase in the competences of the Mossos in the port area has been postponed, especially in interventions in the water sheet of the port and inland waters. The ability of the Mossos to act in the airport flight area, in the area behind the security controls, has also been affected. Finally, the presence of the Mossos in European databases has been suspended, a matter relevant to the country’s comprehensive security.