The PSC and its controversial statements
Unwittingly, the Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya (PSC) has generated controversy with its statements on independence. In a campaign event, a member of the PSC list and president of the UGT union directly attacked Carles Puigdemont, pro-independence leader, with derogatory comments about his exile. These words have caused a wave of reactions of support from Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) towards Puigdemont, after days of tension between ERC and Junts per Catalunya.
The statements of the socialist trade unionist have been considered a lack of respect towards the people who have suffered repression and had to leave Catalonia. This controversy has highlighted the divisions between the pro-independence parties and the PSC, and has generated an intense debate in the context of the electoral campaign.
Reactions of ERC and criticism of the PSC
The statements of the PSC have had a strong impact on public opinion and have generated a forceful response from Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC). The ERC candidate, Pere Aragonès, has taken advantage of this controversy to criticize the PSC and accuse them of belittling the Catalan language. Aragonès emphasized that the PSC seems to embrace the electoral program of Ciutadans and warned that this is not compatible with the defense of the Catalan language and identity.
In addition, Aragonès recalled other mistakes of the PSC candidate, such as confusing the name of the city of Lleida, and affirmed that the PSC proposes the same as Inés Arrimadas, leader of Ciutadans. These criticisms have highlighted the differences between the ERC and the PSC and have generated a climate of tension in the final stretch of the electoral campaign.
Controversy with Salvador Illa and criticism of language management
The controversy with the PSC has not been limited to statements about independence. The PSC candidate, Salvador Illa, has also been criticized for his linguistic management. The representatives of ERC and other pro-independence parties have accused Illa of not knowing the name of the city of Lleida and of following a political line that denigrates the Catalan language.
This controversy has highlighted the differences between the pro-independence parties and the PSC in relation to the defense of the Catalan language and identity. While ERC highlights its work in promoting Catalan and criticizes the PSC’s lack of commitment, the latter defends its management and assures that Catalan is a priority for the party.
Protests and support for ERC
During the PSC rallies, there have been protests and booing by prison officials, who are demanding more security after the murder of a cook. These protests have been refuted by the president of ERC, Oriol Junqueras, who has defended the right to express himself and emphasized that no one will silence him.
In addition, there has been strong support for ERC in this electoral campaign, especially in areas such as farming. The representatives of ERC have defended their work in the promotion of agri-food policies and have called not to vote for Junts per Catalunya or the PSC. These statements have highlighted the differences between the pro-independence parties and have generated an intense debate in the framework of the electoral campaign.
