The 12th May election in Catalonia has shown that the independence process is dead, and Together for Catalonia (Junts) and the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) must understand the "message from the polls" which was "so clear" to let Salvador Illa preside over the next government of the Generalitat. That is the thesis of the Spanish government, whose spokesperson also claimed in a press conference this Tuesday that Pedro Sánchez does not have to fear for his stability at the head of the Spanish executive after the Catalan election on Sunday. Spanish government sources are also of the opinion that the negotiation tables between the Spanish Socialists (PSOE) and the two main pro-independence parties should not resume until after the current "electoral framework" - that is, a period until after the European elections on June 9th, at least - and until "we know which interlocutor is on the other side of the table", referring to a possible departure of Carles Puigdemont from the first political front line if the discussions over political alliances in Catalonia do not allow him to preside over the Catalan government.
In Catalonia, "a new time and a new phase" are now opening, said Pilar Alegría, spokesperson for the Pedro Sánchez executive. The Socialist politician stressed that the agreements on the governability of Catalonia must take place in Catalonia, and thus ruled out having to intervene from Madrid to reach an agreement. Whatever the agreement, they are clear in the Moncloa government palace that the indisputable triumph of the Catalan Socialists (PSC) and the distance that separates the independentists from an absolute majority means that Salvador Illa is destined to be the president of the Generalitat.
Alegría was asked many times in her post-cabinet meeting appearance if the Sánchez government fears that the agreements in the Catalan Parliament could shake the tectonic plates of the Congress of Deputies, and she categorically denied this time and time again. The education minister also stated that the current Spanish government still has three more years of its legislature and "dialogue" to go. Thus, the cabinet totally rules out accepting the request made by Carles Puigdemont: that the Socialists allow a natural pact between pro-independence parties even if they do not have an absolute majority in the Catalan chamber.
"This government is aware of the arithmetic of Congress, and we have shown that through dialogue we have passed important laws, and we will continue to have dialogue and bring laws and measures into Congress that allow the country to continue moving forward," she said in the press conference. She also denied that Pedro Sánchez is mulling over the idea of an early general election based on what might happen in Catalonia.
The death of the 'procés'
Asked at the press appearance whether the Catalan independence process is dead, Pilar Alegría commented that Catalans "spoke decisively and clearly on 12th May." Because they sent a "clear message of a new phase of coexistence and dialogue", said the Spanish government spokesperson. For this reason she urged Junts and ERC to let Socialist leader Salvador Illa become the next president of the Generalitat.