Catalan vote leaves future unclear
BARCELONA, Spain—Spain’s worst political crisis in decades showed few signs of abating Friday after Catalan separatist parties clinched a parliamentary majority in an exceptional election called by the country’s prime minister, who remained steadfast in his refusal to consider independence for the prosperous region.
The outcome of Thursday’s election, in which an anti-secession party also made its best showing to date, did yield a sign of possible movement: Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and the pro-independence regional president he removed from office said they were ready to talk.
However, the two men made clear they were working off different sets of presumptions for a potential dialogue.
Speaking from Brussels, where he fled nearly eight weeks ago to avoid being arrested on possible rebellion and sedition charges, ex-Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said he would talk with Rajoy under one condition— their meeting would have to be outside Spain.
Even with Puigdemont campaigning from Belgium, his Together for Catalonia party snared 34 of the regional parliament’s 135 seats, making it the most popular separatist party.
As the leading separatist candidate, Puigdemont could try to become president of Catalonia again. The new parliament would not be able to elect him for the post unless he returns to Barcelona, the regional capital, but he is likely to be arrested when he turns up on Spanish soil.
The election results nonetheless strengthened Puigdemont’s hand, as separatist politicians won 70 of the parliament seats altogether. Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party secured just three seats, a major embarrassment for the prime minister who took unprecedented steps to put down the Catalan independence movement.
“More than 2 million people are in favor of Catalonia’s independence,” Puigdemont said, referring to the election results. “Recognizing reality is vital if we are to find a solution.”
Rajoy ignored his adversary’s appeal for a meeting, declaring instead that the election show a “new era based on dialogue” was beginning in Catalonia. He also set out a condition of his own for any talks: separatist officeholders must abide by the Spanish Constitution, which says the country is “indivisible.”
“I will make an effort to dialogue with the government that forms in Catalonia, but I expect it to stop acting unilaterally and outside the law,” Rajoy said during a media briefing.