I am writing this article a little carried away by the discouragement of an independence friend with whom we had heated discussions some time ago. Since neither of us was absolutely right, but each of us was right, we used to agree to a draw. A ni pa'ti ni pa'mí that Estopa sang.
This time, years later, I would no longer argue with him because I couldn't agree more: “In Catalonia we don't know what country we want.” And he doesn't say it because of the amnesty. Not even for a referendum yes or no, or independence yes, no or halfway, or for less prosaic things such as financing or the transfer of Rodalies.
These are the topics that entertain the political debate, on a loop. But, in the meantime, no one governs. Months and years pass, and great country projects remain aground like a ship adrift. We had an example in the energy debate that passed without pain or glory through the Parliament a few days ago. Once again we confirm that Catalonia is still behind Europe in renewables and that we have been like this for ten years... It happens that here there are those who have taken the pleasure of setting up a platform when a project comes out. To burst it, of course. And if it is not a platform, it is a political party interested in capitalizing on the protest electorally. Or, worse, an institution that ignores the problem.
Every initiative generates a conflict. Catalunya brand. Then we are surprised that different economic promoters give up doing anything (bureaucratic obstacles aside). They get fed up. Such vitriol ingenuity has been seen with the Winter Games, with the Sailing America's Cup, with the fourth belt, with the policies against drought, with the expansion of the airport, with the model for the city of Barcelona... Unfortunately, The list does not end with renewable energy projects.
There exists in Catalonia a strange phobia of basic consensus that has been contracted for some time now, especially in the last decade. It has coincided with the process, but not alone. Exploiting these consensuses has been the easiest way to establish ourselves in the blockade. Catalan society may not be as divided as it seems, but rather it is beginning to become a victim of its own contradictions. Well, bad.
