The gaping pro-independence movement

It is a pity that Catalan independentism has also missed the opportunity to look at how the government agreements and coalitions between PP and Vox have worked in the Valencian Country and the Balearic Islands. Instead of that, Catalan independentism prefers to waste time on bluster and bravado, also—needless to say—in these general elections. A now traditional mix of paternalism, arrogance, myopia, and a total ignorance of the nation that they pompously claim they are preparing to liberate makes certain eminent patriots view Valencian and Balearic politics as something residual.

If they had taken the trouble to notice, they could have taken some notes. In the Balearic Islands, for example, Vox remained outside the government, and this made many think that the island's PP had known how to play its cards well. It was quite the opposite: Vox did not want to take on government responsibilities so as not to get burned, but they did impose on the PP an investiture agreement for President Marga Prohens. It was a one-hundred-and-thirty-point document that the PP signed in its entirety, without discussing a single one. Obviously, these one hundred and thirty points spelled out Vox's program, which the PP has dedicated itself to applying point by point throughout the term. When Prohens and her government officials have tried to distance themselves from it at times, Vox has left them without parliamentary support and made them quickly return to the fold. The measures were of many kinds, but obviously, the frontal attack against public schools and the Catalan language stood out above all else. They have only half-succeeded, but not because the PP has been skillful in evading the pressure of its partner, but rather because (let us rejoice) of a clear and forceful citizen response that makes the PP afraid of repeating the failure of its previous president, Jose Ramón Bauzá. But the threat, the hatred against the language and the country's identity of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, are there and permeate the entire government action of Prohens and company.

Prohens' boss, Feijóo, has gone one step further and no longer waits for Vox to present him with any document, but instead directly incorporates Vox's program into the PP's. Of the 249 measures presented, what are the two star measures? One, forcing public schools to “teach Spanish” (as if they weren't already: what it means is to minimize and create conflict around the teaching of Catalan). And two, ending the use of Catalan in Congress, which the ultra-nationalist right perceives as a mockery (and which the Catalan independence movement also foolishly disparaged because they received it as an unworthy handout, when it was a breakthrough of great importance, had they wanted to take advantage of it). In the Valencian Community, Vox has indeed been part of the government from day one, with its bullfighter vice president, its Gan Pampols managing the DANA, and teachers who have had to go on heroic strikes to try to stop the onslaught. These are previews of what awaits us, but stay calm: continue giving lessons in patriotism and debating olympically about the essence of the essence of the country.