Differences during the negotiations period have ended up blocking the agreement over investing a new Catalan president. After days of doubts about the possibility of the pro-independence parties coming to an understanding this week, the calendar of upcoming appearances to testify to the Supreme Court have put the brakes on.
Until the last moment, sources with knowledge of the negotiations believed it was possible that a proposal would be registered in the Parliament today for a resolution to recognise the president and Catalan institutions suspended by article 155. The resolution, under negotiation between JuntsxCat and ERC, is meant to be the first step before calling an investiture debate with a new candidate, once it's confirmed that investing Carles Puigdemont is impossible.
That said, not only has this resolution not come about, but JuntsxCat deputies have registered a proposal to reform the Catalan Law of the Presidency to allow for an investiture without Puigdemont present in person. ERC has warned that such a move would be immediately suspended by the Constitutional Court and would cause a delay of months for the investiture and, as such, in lifting the effects of article 155.
Supreme Court appearances
In the background, behind the differences preventing the finalising of a pact, looms the calendar of appearances before the Supreme Court as part of the investigation opened into the organisation of the 1st October referendum and the later declaration of independence, which start next Wednesday. On that day, 14th February, will appear Mireia Boya (CUP). She will be followed on Monday 19th by Marta Rovira (ERC) and Marta Pascal (PDeCAT); on Tuesday 20th by Artur Mas (PDeCAT) and Neus Lloveras (PDeCAT) and, on Wednesday 21st, by Anna Gabriel (CUP).
The parties believe that the moves which could be registered in the coming days in the Parliament, be they statements or votes, could prove compromising or affect the results of the politicians' appearances before the judge.
ERC wants a comprehensive agreement
JuntsxCat say that ERC "are asking for time", whilst ERC have released a statement saying that they will continue working for a "comprehensive agreement" over the next few days. This comprehensive agreement has to include, they say, the new government's agenda and the "recognition of a government in exile in Brussels and an agreement for an operational and effective investiture in Catalonia". They add that they want an agreement which means that "Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría stops being the illegitimate president of Catalonia".
Yesterday's meetings, which were expected to lead to an agreement on the text of the proposed resolution, were eventually suspended and now today's negotiations have also ended up interrupted.