The President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, announced this Wednesday from Madrid his intention to visit the rest of the autonomous communities “on a regular basis” with the aim of “maintaining an open and sincere dialogue on how to build a better Spain together”: “We want to listen and be heard.”
This is what the socialist president announced during his intervention in the events of the Day of Catalonia in Madridin which he was supported by a large part of the central government headed by the First Vice President and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, as well as the government delegate in Madrid, Núria Marín, deputies, senators and leaders of other formations.
Illa assured that It is “very clear” that it is governed “beyond the Palau de la Generalitat”: “That is why, just as I visit cities throughout Catalonia, I regularly travel to Spain and its autonomous communities, because we want to listen and also be heard, convinced that understanding is always possible.”
“Catalonia and Spain have progressed more when they have shared their hopes and have reached their best moments when they have shared their optimism. Catalonia of the 21st century wants to be in the field of hope, part of a plural and diverse Spain, integrated into a Europe with a federal horizon,” he proclaimed.
Resuming her message in Diada, Illa reaffirmed that “Catalonia must once again be a project that unites everyone”, which is why she celebrated that Catalonia “has returned to get involved in improving a Spain in favour of all, more plural, richer and fairer for everyone.
In the light of the general interest
In his speech, Illa opted for “cross bridges, to come together and work to reach agreements always with a view to the general interest and the common good”: “In a democracy, the foundations of coexistence and cohesion are based on stable, loyal and demanding institutional relations. These words from Illa come in the midst of tension between Junts and the Government after Carles Puigdemont’s party made them lose several votes, the last one this Tuesday in Congress and which caused a distancing of the majority that supported the investiture of Pedro Sánchez.
Upon his arrival at the event, Salvador Illa was questioned about these relations between the PSOE and Junts, stressing that he would launch various messages during his speech at these Diada events in the Community of Madrid. The president of the Generalitat also made several references to the relationship with the Community of Madridrecalling that, since 2011, no head of the Catalan Executive has attended these Diada events in Madrid.
In this context, Illa said that Catalonia and Madrid share “many more things” than they think: “First of all We share a great responsibility as economic engines of Spain“We represent almost 40% of the GDP.” “And we have the challenge of transforming this wealth into shared prosperity, which reaches all citizens and leaves no one behind,” said Illa, who also said that the two communities “also compete” in a well-understood way.
