In Girona, on the 19th of August, Carles Puigdemont, the leader of Junts and former President of the Generalitat, expressed his concerns about the delay in the official recognition of Catalan in European institutions. He urged for patience in this matter and accused the People’s Party (PP) of making calls to block this decision.
During a conference titled ‘Lliçó Fabra: La llengua catalana i Europa’ at the Universitat Catalana d’Estiu (UCE) in Prada de Conflent, France, Puigdemont criticized the opposition party for interfering in governmental affairs. He emphasized that there are no legal or economic reasons preventing the approval of Spain’s proposal, attributing any obstacles to political motives.
Puigdemont described the process of gaining official status for Catalan in the EU as a «mature, albeit intense» journey. He regretted the Spanish government’s delayed actions, missing opportunities like the change in government in Germany. Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism about the potential success of this initiative.
Acknowledging the efforts made by the government, Puigdemont highlighted the importance of continuing to push for Catalan’s recognition in the European agenda. He stressed the need to overcome any barriers set by Spain, emphasizing the unity of the entire Spanish nation in this endeavor.
Furthermore, Puigdemont condemned any attempts to hinder the normalization of Catalan as perpetuating the legacy of Franco’s regime. He lamented the role played by the descendants of politicians from that era in obstructing the language’s rightful place in society.
Regarding a potential ruling by the Constitutional Court on the 25% quota for Catalan in schools, Puigdemont called for a strong response from the Parliament. However, he expressed doubts about the willingness of the current government to stand up against such decisions, pointing out the lack of resistance from the Minister of Language Policy, Francesc Xavier Vila.
In conclusion, Puigdemont’s remarks underscore the ongoing struggle for the recognition of Catalan in European institutions, despite the challenges and political opposition faced along the way. The importance of preserving the language’s cultural significance and historical relevance remains a central theme in his advocacy efforts.
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