ERC demands to the PSC
The leaders of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) have expressed their intention to abandon negotiations if the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) does not advance on an agreement on ‘fiscal sovereignty’. This pact is essential so that Catalonia can collect, manage and dispose of its own taxes. In an opinion article published this Monday, a group of Republican negotiators urge the Socialists to take a ‘big step’ towards achieving a financing system that meets the needs of the region.
Rejection of the tax consortium
ERC has expressed its disagreement with the tax consortium model found in the Statute, considering it a superficial strategy that will not change the current situation. Republicans consider that these negotiations should be based on a structural model that promotes the socioeconomic development of Catalonia, without accepting ‘vague financing promises that do not materialize’.
Commitment to the referendum
Republicans have also emphasized that they are not giving up the right to a referendum. Likewise, they maintain that the change in model is unavoidable and that they will not collaborate with a government that, literally, abdicates from solving the fiscal deficit that affects Catalonia. In his opinion, Catalan citizens opted for a new cycle in the elections held on May 12, which places them in an opposition position even though they recognize their influence on the current political landscape.
PSOE reactions
For its part, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is receptive to ERC’s demands and is willing to reach an agreement that allows the election of Salvador Illa as the new president of the Generalitat before the end of July. This decision is taken with the aim of providing the socialists with the necessary time to communicate to their bases the content of the agreement reached.
Trading time limits
The last few weeks have been marked by requests for patience from the PSOE and the regime, which have used the example of the cooperation in Euskadi between the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and the Socialist Party of Euskadi-Euskadiko Ezkerra (PSE-EE) , who agreed on a new coalition government almost three months after the April 21 elections. In Catalonia, the deadline to avoid new elections is August 25, but it seems that both parties prefer not to reach a critical point in the negotiation process.