Ernest Maragall denounces the deception of the PSC
A few hours before the end of the campaign for the May 12 elections, Ernest Maragall has launched harsh criticism against the PSC of Salvador Illa. The former councilor of Barcelona City Council and ex-councillor for Education has described the PSC as an “immense deception” and has urged left-wing and progressive voters not to be deceived by this party. Maragall, who left the PSC in 2014 to join Esquerra Republicana, has expressed his rejection on several occasions for the “drift” his former formation has taken.
The PSC is no longer a leftist or Catalanist party
Maragall has harshly criticized the PSC, stating that it is no longer a leftist or Catalanist party. According to him, the socialists have abandoned Catalanism and practice centralism, acting in strict obedience to the PSOE and against the general interest of Catalan citizens. Maragall has given as an example the management of Rodalies and other issues such as housing to demonstrate that the PSC no longer defends the interests of Catalans (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/ ).
The PSC project according to Maragall
Maragall has criticized the PSC’s proposals, such as the opening of the Hard Rock and its stance towards the negotiation table. According to him, the PSC has not put any proposal on the table to resolve the Catalan question since 2010, and now they say they want to deploy the Statute, which Maragall considers a step back.
Salvador Illa’s decision on language
Maragall has also criticized Salvador Illa’s decision to use mostly Spanish in some of his campaign rallies. Despite considering it legitimate, Maragall regrets that this decision is a powerful tool for “de-Catalanization” and a step back from the linguistic pact signed a few months ago.
Criticism of the management of Catalan-speaking governments
Maragall has warned about the marginalization of the Catalan language by the PP and Vox governments in Catalan-speaking territories, and has warned that Illa’s decision to refer to Lleida as Lérida justifies the abandonment of its social use and promotes the superiority of Spanish (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/).
In short, Ernest Maragall has harshly criticized Salvador Illa’s PSC, accusing them of deceiving left-wing and progressive voters and of not defending the interests of Catalans. Maragall has denounced the drift of the PSC towards centralism and has regretted the decisions of Salvador Illa in relation to the language and the negotiation table (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/) .
