The team of president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illahas been trying for several days to close a meeting with the former Catalan president who is on the run, Carles Puigdemontwho after his brief visit to Catalonia returned to settle in Belgium. The socialist, invested in August, organizes a series of meetings with the former tenants of the Palau de la Generalitat. However, with Puigdemont, knowing that anyone who sets foot on national territory must be arrested, Illa plans to meet him at the delegation of the Generalitat in Perpignan, in the south of France. A controversial appointment, since if he accompanied the bodyguards who usually accompany the Catalan president, they would have to request authorization from the authorities of the country in which they are located to proceed with his arrest.
Before this meeting, this same month of September, the highest representative of Junts per Catalunya must meet another socialist leader, the organization secretary of the PSOE, Santos Cerdanwithin the framework of the negotiating table agreed in exchange for the investiture of Pedro Sánchez. A meeting that will be held in Geneva and that could be essential for the interests of the social-communist government. The support of the seven Junts deputies, who have caused the executive to lose several votes, is essential for the General State Budgets (PGE) to prosper. Otherwise, the legislature would remain in an impasse.
Given the judicial situation of Carles Puigdemont, the one who was Illa’s rival for Junts in the last regional elections cannot return to Spain, since the amnesty does not include his cases for now. But if You enjoy freedom of movement throughout the European Union. Well, the investigating judge of the Supreme Court who is handling the case, Pablo Llarenarefused to reactivate the European arrest and surrender order until the Community judicial authorities have ruled on the various appeals filed. Puigdemont, who lived for a few months in the south of France to participate in the electoral campaign, can therefore travel to this border area with Catalonia.
In Perpignan, the Government from the Generalitat to one of the delegations that the autonomous government has abroad. A simulation of embassywhich at the time inaugurated separatism, and that the new administration of the socialist Salvador Illa has not only decided to maintain, but also to strengthen. advise of Foreign Affairs, Jaume Duchhas chosen to strengthen the presence of Catalonia in the world through these offices with which the Generalitat seeks to amplify its nationalist discourse, in addition to helping companies expand in other countries. A work that duplicates that carried out by the Ministries of Industry – through the ICEX – and Foreign Affairs.
Relationship with exes presidents
The majority of former presidents of the Generalitat, from the different political parties that have governed Catalonia in recent decades, attended the inauguration of Salvador Illa as president last August. At the event, which took place in the Sant Jordi room of the Plaza San Jaime, were present Jordi Pujol, Jose Montilla, Arthur Mas, Quim Torra And Father Aragonés, who took overThe only ones missing were Puigdemont, who had fled again a few days earlier to Belgium, and Pascal Maragallwhose health is delicate.
With Pujol and Montilla, Illa has already met in recent days. In fact, the meeting with the first president of Catalonia, Jordi Pujol, which took place this week, has generated some controversy. Well, the founder of Convergencia, accused of family corruption, had been completely sidelined from public life by the rest of the leaders. Even disowned. Salvador Illa has rehabilitated him in the final stretch of his political life. “Former president Jordi Pujol is one of the most outstanding figures in the political history of Catalonia,” said the socialist president Illa on his social networks after the meeting.
The next meeting scheduled, as indicated this Tuesday during a press conference by the spokesman of the Government, Silvia PanequeIt is with former president Artur Mas. Although for the moment the day of their meeting has not been made public, as for the rest, and unlike what will happen with Puigdemont, the meeting will take place at the Palau de la Generalitat.
