Let Sánchez and Puigdemont be, and let their support for the legislature be. It's hard to understand why, at this point, a language spoken by more than ten million European citizens, present in Spain, France, Italy, and Andorra—four European states that are members of the euro, three of them members of the Union—and with a modern and vibrant culture, continues to be unofficial in the European Union. Catalan has more speakers than Danish, Finnish, Croatian, or Slovenian, and far surpasses two languages that do enjoy full status: Maltese and Irish Gaelic. Maltese, spoken by around 450,000 people, has been an official language of the EU since 2004, when the country joined the Union. Irish Gaelic, with around 200,000 speakers, was recognized in 2007, although Ireland had already joined the EU years before.

We begin the week with the news that tomorrow's European Union General Affairs Council (there is one every month) will not discuss Spain's demand to make Catalan, Basque, and Galician official languages. Spain itself has decided not to include it on the meeting's agenda, because Germany's position remains the same:No!", and unanimity is necessary to make the change. Conservative Chancellor Merz is making common cause with the People's Party (PP) group in the European Parliament and won't budge from the "no" vote. The Spanish People's Party (PP) (Dolors Montserrat) doesn't want to give Sánchez this victory because it would strengthen his pact with Junts.

There is no prospect of a short- or medium-term solution for the official status of Catalan in Europe. The efforts of the Spanish People's Party (PP) to obstruct the initiative by influencing the Christian Democratic party—particularly the German government—have borne fruit. Right now, the issue is at a standstill. The aggravating factor is that the negotiating moves by Minister José Manuel Albares over the past two years have ended up producing diplomatic fatigue in most countries, even those in favor of it, which has led to his refusal to discuss it further for the time being. The states currently do not consider it a priority issue and further believe that the lack of consensus, and therefore of new developments, makes it pointless to discuss it again. The refractory position of the Merz administration is what has derailed the proposal, which no one expects now.

Today will not be the day either the official status of Catalan in EuropeThere won't be a more constructive position from the German government, which is the key. Germany carries a lot of weight in the EU, and behind them are six countries that wouldn't necessarily vote against it, but that are putting up obstacles: Italy, Croatia, Austria, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic. What's happening to Germany? Well, since the last elections, it has had a conservative chancellor, that is, from the PP political family, and the PP has been and is still knocking on every door to prevent Catalan from becoming an official language in Europe. It's doing so against Catalan, but also against Pedro Sánchez. And it's relatively easy for it to do so because, among other reasons, the EU is a club of states that don't want any more noise than they already have or to give wings to languages that are politically considered "regional." Because we're talking about incorporating three languages at once: Catalan, Basque, and Galician. One of the arguments the PP uses is to point out that neither Catalan, Galician, nor Basque are official languages throughout Spain: so how can they be official languages in Europe? The argument is fallacious because one thing doesn't negate the other, but in a club of states, these kinds of tricks work. And, of course, when you've spent your entire life hiding the fact that your country has more than one language, hearing Minister Albares say that Catalan "is part of our identity" is surprising, to say the least. However, as long as Pedro Sánchez holds out, the petition will not fall. On this page you will find all the information from our Brussels correspondent, Gerard Fageda.

The objective of making Catalan an official language in the European institutions is crucial and it is necessary to persist until it is achieved. Having started the race and having the State government in favour is already a success in itself. It is important to be clear about this. Catalan has become a community portfolio with strong arguments, both quantitative (number of speakers) and qualitative (cultural relevance). It will not be easy to achieve it, as was already said when Junts and the PSOE closed the first pact, but it will not be easy to let it go either. The path has begun and is irreversible.