The "national understanding" that unites the PSC, Junts, ERC, Comuns, and the CUP: what is it?

BarcelonaEsquerra did not bring any resolution proposal defending the self-determination referendum in last week's general policy debate – it voted in favor of those of Junts and the CUP – but it did write one that advocated for its success. an "understanding of the country" that would serve to resolve the political conflict. Beyond their continued advocacy of a referendum, the Republicans understand that the "country is in a different place" right now. "The Parliament recognizes the need to promote a broad national understanding in defense of democracy, for the resolution of the political conflict, and for advancing the national and social sovereignty of Catalonia. An understanding that challenges the entire Catalan society with the participation of social stakeholders and civil society," the proposal stated. The initiative garnered 107 votes from the PSC (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), Junts (Junts), ERC (Electrical Regionalist Party), Comuns (Comuns), and the CUP (Cup). A large majority that the Republicans were proud of, but at this point there is still no clarity on how it will materialize. Have any steps been taken a week after this vote? What difference is there with the national convention that ERC agreed upon for the investiture of Salvador Illa?

The agreement signed between the Republicans and the Socialists just over a year ago contained the commitment to promote a "national convention for the resolution of the political conflict." In fact, it was supposed to be held in the first plenary session of Parliament in the legislative session. Both the PSC and ERC, however, admitted last fall that this deadline would not be met. And more than a year later, this tool remains on hold, with no options for its implementation because the main opposition party, Junts, is not keen on joining it. According to the investiture pact, apart from the agreement itself, which stipulated that it had to meet the maximum political quorum, the government was to create an office that would "ensure the human, technical, and material resources to carry out its tasks," a tool that has also not been implemented. With the "national understanding," Esquerra now sees an "open door" for this initiative to prosper after the failure of the national convention. "It's great news that the door is open and that there is a path and a way forward," stated ERC spokesperson Isaac Albert at a press conference on Monday.

In fact, the party maintains that the idea of the convention is the "same" as previously understood, but now they believe it has been shown that the proposal has more "cross-party" support. In fact, they regret that the convention failed to materialize because it arose from a pact with the PSC. "The instruments are more or less liked depending on who proposes them," Albert added on Monday. Now, has ERC taken steps to make the proposal tangible? Not yet, but sources within the party assure that "they must." Junts confirms that they have not had any contact with the Republicans on this issue and, despite voting in favor of the proposal, does not want to enter into an assessment of it. The CUP argues its support for the text because "it aimed to find common ground with the other parties," but also admits that it was not very specific.

The previous tools

With the end of the independence process, the independence movement has experienced a period of disorientation. Esquerra (Republican Left) was the first party to open the path to negotiations with the Spanish state, later joined by Junts (Junts). Both parties have unsuccessfully attempted to get the PSOE to agree to negotiate a referendum within their respective negotiation tables. However, the Republicans have also opened the Catalan route to force the PSC (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) to discuss a solution to resolve the political conflict. This approach is reminiscent of some of the initiatives launched before the November 9 and October 1 referendums. In 2013, the National Pact for the Right to Decide was formed, to which the PSC no longer participated at a time of upheaval within the party, which ended with several officials leaving the party because they were committed, precisely, to the right to decide. The Socialists also did not join the National Pact for the Referendum, which was formed at the end of 2016, almost a year before October 1.