The right wing has already advanced its flirtation with the far right. And there is no time to lose. Two councilors from the PSC of Ripoll broke the taboo by saving the budgets for Sílvia Orriols, mayor of Ripoll and a reference of Catalan neofascism. Fortunately, the party has intervened and the councilors have placed their positions at the disposal of the PSC leadership, a step towards the exit door. We all know that, in the realm of local politics, the psychopathology of small differences between natural allies can lead to extravagant combinations, and that miserable personal interests can upset the apple cart. But, at a time when the PP has taken off its mask throughout Spain and Feijóo has opted for the normalization of Vox – carrying Abascal's baggage –, for the socialists to break the democratic taboo by giving recognition to the leader of the Catalan far right was a gift to the right wing (of Catalonia and Spain) and a disturbing – and apparently unnecessary – sign of weakness. We hope the anecdote will serve as a vaccine. Now that Pedro Sánchez seeks the role of European leader in the fight against neofascism, it was a pathetic gaffe.
The socialists have abruptly cut short the Ripoll blunder. But the PSC – Salvador Illa style – has made a low profile and discreet governance its way of being in the world. It has succeeded at a time of hangover in Catalan politics because it tried to stretch its arm further than its sleeve and the principle of reality imposed its implacability. Illa has managed to capitalize on the frustration. However, Vox's agenda today sets the pace for the Spanish right wing. More than ever, not a single frivolity: the no to the far right admits no nuances. To neofascism, no water. The problem for the PSC is that management, however positive, is exhausted if, in the name of normality and coexistence, it is intended that practical efficiency makes the illusion of a project dispensable. The logic of day-to-day, without a certain forward-looking view, can lead to miserable gaffes like the Ripoll stunt. It has been an anecdote, but it should serve as a warning to transmit more meaning to action.
