Hugo Pérez Ayán has called for Junts, Aliança Catalana, the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox to reach a political agreement in Catalonia, arguing that their divided right-wing vote leaves Salvador Illa’s Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) in government.
The proposal appeared on Wednesday 23 September in an opinion column published by The Objective. It is the author’s argument, rather than an announced pact between the four parties.
For voters, any such arrangement would require parties with sharply different positions on Catalonia’s constitutional future, language policy and the role of the autonomous communities to find common ground.
A proposed ‘Tinell’ agreement
Pérez Ayán uses the term “Tinell” in reference to the 2003 Tinell Pact, the agreement that enabled a left-wing coalition government in Catalonia.
“If the left was able to unite in 2003 through the Tinell Pact, the right can do the same today.”
He argues that the pro-independence right should set aside independence as a short- and medium-term aim, which he describes as an unsuccessful, unviable and counterproductive route.
In return, he says the unionist right, particularly Vox, should abandon what he calls a centralist discourse that treats Catalan identity with resentment or as a threat. He calls for acceptance of Catalan language, culture and traditions as part of Spanish identity.
Common ground proposed by the author
The column suggests a minimum agreement centred on:
- defence of the Catalan language;
- protection of Catalan culture and traditions;
- each party retaining its own non-negotiable political aims.
Pérez Ayán writes that Aliança Catalana is more radical than Junts, while portraying concerns about loss of Catalan identity and immigration as central to its position.
Salvador Illa is president of the Generalitat, Catalonia’s autonomous government, and heads the PSC.
Primary sources: Govern de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya - Direcció Pública i Transparència. Reported by racocatala.cat, THE OBJECTIVE, Racó Català.
