FORMER Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has hit out over public money being given to a “legal” fascist group in in Spain, while at the same time seeking a referendum on independence was ruled illegal.
In a wide-ranging discussion on his first visit to Scotland since a European Arrest Warrant against him was revoked, he said the majority of conflicts after the Second World War had originated in the denial of self-determination.
Puigdemont told the Beyond Borders International Festival in the Scottish Borders that he would never suspend the declaration of independence he made last October 27, following the Catalan referendum.
He added that his duty to the Catalan people was “to allow the Catalans to decide on their future”.
“I would never suspend the declaration of independence of 27-O,” said Puigdemont.
“Most of the violent conflicts in the world after the Second Wold War have their origin in denying people the right to self-determination.
“Every day people legally pay homage to Franco’s mausoleum, the Foundation Francisco Franco is legal and gets public money.
“The duchess of Franco title is legal... Calling for a self-determination referendum is illegal. The recipe for independence is made of people, human rights and respect for the other – dialogue.
“A Catalan cake is a democracy cake.”
In the discussion on “Where now for Catalonia and Europe”, Puigdemont, who now lives in the town of Waterloo, Belgium, said: “The Catalan case can help others to resolve the most important conflict of our times - the self-determination of the people.”
And in a swipe at European inaction over the thorny issue of Catalan political prisoners – nine remain in pre-trial detention – he said: “It’s a shame for the European Union to have political prisoners in its territory.
He said he would always fight for freedom and democracy, adding that he was just 13 years old when Franco died: “So I know what it is to live without democracy.”
Puigdemont, who faces arrest on a rebellion charge should he try to re-enter Spain, said that while the sky was dark, “there are real possibilities to open a clear and strong dialogue with the Spanish Government”.
He said Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, had the opportunity to make a “concrete” proposal on the right of self-determination to the Catalan executive, when parliament returns from its summer recess.
“Sánchez has the opportunity to explain, not only to use a new vocabulary and change the political climate, which obviously has already changed positively, but to do something concrete and to put something clear on the table to allow a political discussion on the central issue that is the right of self-determination,” said Puigdemont.
He added that should this happen the Catalan Government would be willing to enter into a dialogue.
“If the [Spanish] government opens that door, I am sure that the Catalan Government and Catalan society will participate in that opportunity, that is our priority.”
Puigdemont is expected to meet his successor as Catalan President, Quim Torra, in Waterloo later today.
Earlier, he praised the Scottish independence movement as being “in good health” and predicted that Holyrood and Westminster would soon reach an agreement on a second referendum.
The last poll was held after the UK Government approved a Section 30 order made by the Scottish Government under the Scotland Act to hold the referendum.
He told The Sunday Times he could not imagine that the UK Government would refuse a second request, despite Prime Minister Theresa May claiming that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has no mandate for such a poll.
Puigdemont said: “I am confident the UK and Scottish governments will reach an agreement, as they did before, to make a second referendum happen, and the right of self-determination for Scotland will prevail.”
He added that the UK had a “depth of commitment to democracy” that did not exist in Spain.
“The Scottish independence movement is in good health and strong… its people had acted very well.
“The Catalan independence movement had learned a lot from Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish way in its own drive for self-rule.
“I look forward to her coming to Barcelona and productive discussions with the Catalan Government.”
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