PSC and Comuns forget the Catalan Summer University

Prada of ConflentPSC and Comuns have once again been absent this year from the Catalan Summer University (UCE) in Prada de Conflent. The space for training and reflection of Catalanism and sovereignty in the Catalan Countries has a marked pro-independence accent, but all Catalanist formations have been welcome and the PSC has historically been present. Comuns has also not attended this year and no leader from the CUP has given a conference or intervened, unlike Junts and ERC or other extra-parliamentary parties like Alhora. What are the reasons for these absences?

While Aliança Catalana remains excluded by the UCE, the other cases are completely different. The university's governing team opens its doors to "democratic formations," but not everyone is equally eager to be there. CUP sources admit that it is true that "due to dates" in recent years it has been "complicated" to organize, but the militancy of the anti-capitalists "participates and attends various talks held at the UCE" as was the case with deputy Dani Cornellà, in a talk on renewable energies last Thursday. Former CUP deputy Anna Gabriel had participated on numerous occasions, as is recalled within the UCE, in a trend that has been changing for years.

For their part, Comuns sources maintain that they have not received any "formal invitation as a political organization to participate in this year's UCE". In any case, they explain that "years ago some members" of their political space had taken part. And that they have "the utmost respect" for the organization, without "any inconvenience in debating with other democratic political forces," wherever they are invited.

As for the PSC, consulted sources do not specify the reason for this year's absence, unlike last year, when the Minister of Education, Esther Niubó, inaugurated the event. But they recall that former president José Montilla had attended. And, in fact, he starred in a historic photograph three years ago with former presidents Jordi Pujol, Carles Puigdemont, Quim Torra and Pere Aragonès. And the president of the PSC in Parliament, Ferran Pedret, resumed his presence at the UCE in 2022 for the first time since the Procés, with the aim of debating wherever they are invited.

The Government has indeed been present in Prada these last few days, but with independent members, without a socialist membership card. This is the case of the Minister of Linguistic Policy, Francesc Xavier Vila, who has closed the edition; the Director General of Social and Cooperative Economy and Cooperativism, David Bonvehí, at a cooperativism conference, and the delegate to Northern Catalonia, Albert Piñeira, who has attended numerous events.