Since the day of the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils itself, the emphasis has been placed on two very closely linked things: the performance of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) and the story that ends up being predominant both in Catalonia as in Spain and the international community. The first question was key, since only from a very broad unanimity of opinion that the work of the Catalan police was satisfactory could the communication battle be imposed. As always happens in this type of quarrel, there are not two winners when two administrations try to be triumphant.
Nine days after the tragedy, news stories and reports are still being published in the international media that should be worrying the Spanish government. Amongst the most recent appearances, an outlet as moderate and distant from the Catalan independence movement as The Economist stands out. The influential British weekly, which is followed by political, opinion and business leaders from the whole world, writes in its latest edition that after the attacks many Catalan citizens think that Catalonia would be a safer country if it were independent and it criticises Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy for his inaction.
Without any kind of doubt, the battle has clearly spilled out into the international media. Maybe because of this, the Spanish government has had to reinforce its public presence in the last few hours. Rajoy appeared this Friday, exceptionally, at the end of a cabinet meeting and this Saturday, authorities of the Spanish state and political leaders have landed in Barcelona in large numbers. It was even announced that they would arrive in three planes. All of this to attend the demonstration called by the Catalan government and Barcelona city council on passeig de Gràcia in the city. It will be, surely, the culmination of the flimsy unity over these last few days. And the start of the road to the independence referendum. But all of that will be from Sunday.