Sanchez takes another step with Puigdemont

There was much expectation about a possible meeting or photo opportunity between Pedro Sánchez and Carles Puigdemont this Wednesday in Strasbourg, but perhaps what happened is more important than a simple image, since in some way the two leaders have seen each other and have been able to exchange messages in front of the eyes of the MEPs. In his turn, Puigdemont stressed the importance of trust in order to move forward, and took the opportunity to underline the injustice of not being able to express oneself in Catalan in that scenario and to issue a mild warning about the "unpleasant consequences" that "not taking advantage of opportunities" can have. However, in general his tone has been conciliatory.

The surprise came when Sánchez took up the challenge in the reply and encouraged Puigdemont, naming him by name, to continue the path of dialogue. In a way, the Spanish president went one step further and recognised, in the best possible scenario, the legitimacy of Puigdemont and his party, Junts, as a political interlocutor and a key force in the legislature that is just beginning. It may seem obvious, because Junts had already voted for Sánchez's investiture, but it is still a gesture that strengthens the plurinational bloc in Congress. By the way, today there has also been a step forward along the same lines when a motion of censure was announced in Pamplona to oust the UPN mayor so that the Bildu candidate can be elected with the support of the socialist party.

It is fair to point out that Puigdemont has not been the only one to demand the use of the Catalan language in the European institutions. Clara Ponsatí also did so in the previous plenary session, and then the ERC MEPs Jordi Solé and Diana Riba. It is also important that today's session has shown unwavering support from the entire European left for the amnesty for those prosecuted by the Trial and in general for Pedro Sánchez's policy with Catalonia. On the other hand, it has been clear that the EPP, whether for tactical interests or out of conviction, will fight back. Although Manfred Weber on Wednesday lowered the tone compared to the previous debate on the amnesty.

In reality, although the EPP insists on saying that "Europe is worried" about the amnesty, nobody in Brussels believes the discourse that Spain is heading towards a dictatorship or that Sánchez is an imitator of Orbán. The European Union, as in 2017, continues to think that the Catalan conflict is an internal Spanish affair and does not want to be affected by it, so many privately recognise that amnesty is a good solution because it calms the situation and provides political stability, which is the great priority. Europe, in general, has a very practical approach to things, and when faced with problems, what it demands are solutions. And for the moment, the one offered by Pedro Sánchez seems more reasonable than the right's desire to exacerbate the conflict again with greater judicial and political repression. Even someone as pragmatic as Weber should know how to see this.