Governance of Catalonia is in the air

USPA NEWS - Governance in Catalonia is hanging by a thread. Within two weeks of the deadline to elect a president of the regional Government, the nationalist-republican coalition Junts pel Si can´t support it needs.

On Sunday a general assembly of the anti-capitalist coalition CUP, which has ten seats in the regional Parliament of Catalonia was held. Junts pel Si need two of them vote for the investiture of the hitherto president of the regional Government of Catalonia, Artur Mas, but it is not an easy target to achieve. In principle, the CUP rejects Mas, whom they blame for the economic and social cuts suffered in Catalonia and corruption of Catalan nationalism. With this scenario, Catalonia should be president next January 10. Otherwise, they should hold further regional elections in March.

Last week, Junts pel Si presented a new proposal to the CUP: a transitional presidency of Artur Mas for 18 months, the time needed to launch the independence process, and a collegial presidency later. The CUP met in assembly on Sunday and did not reach any agreement. Supporters of vesting Artur Mas and those opposed to supporting nationalist-republican drew 1,515 votes.

Given this institutional deadlock, the anti-capitalist coalition decided to give an extension until Saturday January 2, 2016. That day will meet the political council of training and the parliamentary group with the aim of taking a "political decision" on the investiture others. If that decision is contrary to the investiture, Catalonia would be forced to hold new elections in March, the fourth in five years. If, however, the decision is favorable to invest Mas, the Catalan regional Parliament only had one week to convene plenary investiture.

Nationalist-Republican claim to have "clear conscience" because they have done everything possible for Catalonia to have a stable majority Government independence. However, the other parties criticized that after three months of negotiations between Junts pel Si and CUP, the region is still in institutional deadlock. From the opposition, the conservative Popular Party in Catalonia is in favor of suspending the Catalan autonomy.