Marta Rovira (Vic, 1977) speaks with La Vanguardia a few hours after participating in the ERC executive that has been held after the departure of Junts from the Government and that opens the stage for a solo Executive of the Republicans.
Did you expect this query result?
Once they decide to decide, we contemplated the two scenarios.
Do you understand this decision?
We can try to be empathetic and understand why. But we do not share it in the context of a difficult winter ahead with skyrocketing inflation and rising prices. It is a time to take responsibility. Since the coalition agreement Junts has had doubts with internal critical voices that opposed the Government. We celebrate that they finally made a decision. What generates instability are the doubts about the collaboration agreement and the use of excuses to bring the militancy to the consultation. The Government agreement is 40% developed and regarding the coordination in Madrid, Junts and ERC have voted in favor of the Government of Pedro Sánchez in 60% of the proposals, 30% against and only 10% separately and it was ideological initiatives.
Aren't you considering calling elections as your former partner is now asking you?
It would be nonsense. People need the administration to respond and see how to deal with the rise in prices and mortgages, businessmen and citizens are concerned about inflation.
Can a government endure with 33 deputies?
We've rolled up our sleeves and we're ready. Someone has to do it. People do not consider voting nor do they want to do so with the situation that may exist this winter. We hope that the gravity of the moment challenges more actors. Yesterday we already saw pronouncements like the unions, saying that we go ahead. We will already build great social consensus and majorities to carry out what is necessary.
Could the commons enter the Government?
Look, what we are doing is assuming this responsibility and we will see how this new government, in which Aragonès is personally working, takes shape.
What will the new Government be like?
We are a few days away from announcing who are the people who sign up and come. In fact, it will not be difficult for there to be people who come to help and commit to a difficult situation. It's a matter of days to go back to talking about what worries people. Of Rodalies, of the competences that they have to pass on to us.
Oriol Junqueras has vetoed the PSC in the budget agreement. How is it understood that you then support Sánchez?
When ERC gives support to President Sánchez, it does so in exchange for a negotiation to resolve a political conflict. This legislature we focus on advancing this resolution, on the anti-repressive agenda and on responding to the mandate of 80% of Catalans who want to vote in a referendum. Junqueras is consistent with what we do. We have 40 leaders awaiting trial five years later for 1-O. We cannot ignore it. We would like to see how PSOE and PSC assume the agreed commitments.
Isn't "thinking about the country", as Aragonès says, and extending budgets contradictory?
These budgets are drawn up by Minister Giró and considering that there was a government agreement, they would have a majority to push them forward. If this does not happen, we will look for solutions. The extension has already been used other times, we know that there is technical support that would allow us to respond to the current needs of the country.
Do you think Junts will support them?
Junts should say it and we have to see to what extent the country's economic and social situation challenges them. It is the last measure that Minister Giró left behind before what happened yesterday, for this reason, we will question them and if not, we will move forward from here.
Jordi Sánchez says that the procés is "closed". Do you see it that way?
No, the procés is led by the strength of the people. We have a proposal that is a clarity agreement that could start in the coming weeks and months. This is a pro-independence and referendum process. What we are going to look for is that 80% of Catalans can vote to decide the political future of the country. The procés is not between two political parties, it is based on the consensus of society, of at least 48% who have decided to bet on independence. We will represent this 48% and 80% to organize a referendum and for this we will have to talk to the Spanish government.
Can the relationship with Junts be redirected?
We will have to talk to rebuild trust and analyze what has happened, why and how we continue
Since Friday have you spoken with any Junts leader?
Not personally.
Pedro Sánchez extended his hand to give stability to the Government.
What I want to reply to Pedro Sánchez is that if he wants support for the Government of Pere Aragonès, he knows exactly what he should do. He must put an end to political repression, and address how the two governments respond to this majority of citizens of Catalonia who want to vote.
Have you decided what you're going to do about the PGE?
No, because we don't know them. We are waiting to have a meeting. We have not liked some of the things we have seen and we are also waiting for the 2022 goals to be fulfilled. And not only that, the further away the results of the negotiation process are, the more lack of trust there is with the Spanish Government and with the PSOE in order to reach agreements in other areas.
Will progress be made in the reform of the crime of sedition before the end of the year?
Everything goes very late in Spain. We would like to see a PSOE committed to the democratization of the Spanish State and not only to repeal political crimes from the Penal Code, which is a necessary reform and of general interest. All European states have standardized their criminal regulations to human rights and democracy. This has been pending for years.
How is your legal situation?
As in March 2018 when I left, I am still accused of a crime of rebellion. For something to move I have to appear before the Supreme Court. I have an arrest warrant and immediate admission to prison. Appearing is not a scenario because it involves provisional imprisonment. It is a disproportionate and unfair situation.
