Turn the page to “ten lost, bad years” for Catalonia in which the process has neglected public services. This is the campaign story of Salvador Illa (La Roca del Vallès, 1966) facing 12-M. Aware that the independence movement will emphasize the shortcomings in terms of financing, the PSC candidate assures that only he would be able to obtain “fair and effective” financing. To do this, he asks ERC and Junts to allow him to govern.
Was Puigdemont expected to announce his candidacy?
It has already been presented twice. It's a decision I respect. I am not asking anyone to renounce their political ideas, what I ask is that when they set foot in Catalonia they do so with their feet on the ground, and we have spent ten years in which some have not done so, that is why Catalonia is as it is. We are not prepared for drought; we have not updated infrastructure; Nothing has been done in energy, neither in security, and in education we are behind Spain. Let's keep our feet on the ground.
Puigdemont boasts of having “dragged” the State with the amnesty
The amnesty is normalized in Catalonia. What we do is politically normalize what is already normalized on the street. It is addressed to Catalan society as a whole, which wants to turn the page on ten lost years. Some lack the courage to recognize the generosity and strength of Spanish democracy.
Is Puigdemont giving ammunition to the PP?
The extremes always feed. I address all Catalans and to unite them I will put public services as a priority: education, health, security, infrastructure... Uniting and serving, this is the way to turn the page and restore and strengthen the self-government of Catalonia. No divided country can cope with the context in which we live.
Aren't you afraid that the campaign will talk more about independence than other issues?
Each one will make the approach they see fit. I talk about what I think is best for Catalonia, which I think is turning the page by uniting Catalans, recognizing their plurality and diversity and putting public services as a priority for the Government. I think it is the approach that Catalonia deserves and that the majority demands.
The low execution of investments in Catalonia will be something that the independence movement will exploit
State investments in Catalonia have increased greatly under the socialist governments. During the years of the pandemic, non-refundable contributions were made, and in terms of financing the failure of ERC and Junts, also of Mr. Puigdemont, has been total and absolute because they have achieved nothing. They've been into other things. With all humility, the only president of the Generalitat who can obtain fair and effective financing, which provides more resources to Catalonia, is myself and that is what I will do. Negotiating, with loyalty and without seeking privileges.
What is this PSC funding proposal based on?
Firstly, in fulfilling the autonomy of Catalonia, which provides for the creation of a tax consortium that has passed the filter of the Constitutional Court. They have done nothing about this either, nor have they occupied the chairs at the negotiating tables. They have only complained and generated frustration.
Is this more seductive than the tax management itself?
That is generating frustration. We don't do what we can do and we ask for things that only generate frustration.
40% of PSC voters are against the amnesty, according to the CEO
I can understand that there are citizens who have reluctance, but trust is more powerful than fear, and affection is more powerful than hate. We Catalans must not forget what has happened, but we must have the ability to forgive, to look forward. Catalonia deserves to unite to make top-level public policies that are an example in Spain and Europe.
Can the amnesty be the door to resurrect the process?
It's the opposite. Once the strength of our democratic system has been confirmed, one has to be generous to turn the page. We turn the page with the pardons and with an Amnesty law, which politically, socially and institutionally normalizes Catalonia.
Polls give it up to 42 seats. Enough?
I aspire to have the maximum support of the citizens. I do it with respect and education, with an approach that is addressed to everyone, whether they are from the right or the left, pro-independence or not, and I take the surveys with caution. But I am prepared to lead a Catalonia that reaches its best levels of self-esteem, pride and prosperity.
Is the key that the pro-independence majority is not reissued?
It is a majority that has achieved nothing... It has been a few years with many elections. I assume the commitment that if I am president there will be stability and the legislature will be exhausted, something that has not happened since President Montilla. It has been a constant period of instability, with unfocused priorities and objectives, not focused on the specific problems of citizens.
Who do you see yourself agreeing with?
My goal is to have the broad confidence of citizens to make a strong, stable Government. I think it is clear that in recent years the PSC has been the center of gravity of Catalan politics, the key to major agreements. Let the Catalans speak on May 12.
Do you prefer a progressive agreement or is it not decisive?
We take a social democratic approach, but we are open to reaching agreements without vetoes. The only agreement I reject is against hate speech, whether from Abascal or Orriols. What I have done I am in a position to ask of the rest: let the one who obtains the majority trust of the Catalans govern. Respect what the people of Catalonia say.
There have been headlines trying to link him to the Koldo case. Have you had to review papers?
Things were done well at the Ministry of Health and I want to recognize all the work that was done. There was a team that centralized purchases with technical criteria and I am very calm and confident. I have given all the explanations and I am willing to continue giving them when I am summoned.
Could this case harm your aspirations?
The important thing is how you react. Our political space has reacted forcefully and I appeal to citizens to compare. It is not the attitude that I see in other formations.
What did you think of Ábalos' decision to go to the mixed group?
It has disappointed me.
In the case of Ayuso's partner, should there be resignation?
I understand politics very differently than Mrs. Ayuso, as a public service, not as a conquest of power at any cost. What is becoming known is serious enough for him to give explanations and make decisions.
Will we end up suffering water restrictions?
I hope not, but it cannot be ruled out. Nothing has been done in ten years and the ACA has dedicated itself to making money. We must move more quickly in the execution of the works and not take advantage of the situation to opt for an economic model of degrowth.
Did you try to talk to Albiach so that the commons approved the budgets?
At the end of last year I told Albiach what the PSC's approach would be. We did not want a Government that had lost its way to be paid by the Catalans in a context of drought, but rather we would negotiate budgets without entering into the exchange of cards. Junts and the CUP have put their party interests before those of the country. The PSC does not. This is thinking with generosity and without vetoes.
Why is Hard Rock so important?
What we cannot do is keep things stuck for six years. This is a project that obtained a license, has the consensus of the territory and we are in a rule of law, therefore we must comply with its processing. Catalonia must aspire to have a framework of stability and certainty.
Was the electoral advance expected?
No. We have been prepared for a long time and I see the country prepared, but I did not think that this electoral advance would come.
