PSOE and Junts have signed the agreement by which those of Carles Puigdemont commit to supporting the investiture of Pedro Sánchez to open a new stage to resolve the historical conflict over the political future of Catalonia with a dynamic "in terms different from those of the last legislature" in which, among other issues, an amnesty and an international mechanism to verify the negotiations are included, but in which the deep discrepancies between the parties in key areas of the negotiations are recognized.
To contextualize the agreement, the two formations make a factual and historical account that coincides with that generically made by the independence movement and that even goes back to the Nueva Planta Decrees (1707-16) of King Felipe V, which abolished secular constitutions and institutions. of Catalonia, to describe the grievances and unaddressed demands that have led "a relevant part of Catalan society" to not feel "identified with the current political system in Spain."
Among them and in particular is the ruling of the Constitutional Court of 2010 against the Statute "following an appeal from the PP" and which led to today "Catalonia being the only autonomous community with a statute that has not been voted entirely by its citizenship". In this framework, the events that have shaped the process that culminated in the 1-O referendum, the application of article 155 and a series of legal causes that affect many people are explained.
The two parties recognize their absolute disagreement on the legitimacy and legality of the 1-O referendum but confirm that they can reach important agreements without giving up their respective positions. They also recognize mutual mistrust and discrepancies regarding the final form of conflict resolution, which is why they agree to establish an international mechanism to accompany, verify and monitor the entire negotiation process and the agreements reached.
The parties undertake to agree on the negotiation methodology to provide the negotiation process with certainty and are set to hold a first meeting this month in which they will confirm their disagreements in two areas: deficits and limitations of self-government and national recognition of Catalonia.
On the issue of national recognition of Catalonia, Junts will promote a self-determination referendum and the PSOE the broad development of the Statute of 2006 as well as the full deployment and respect for the institutions of self-government and the institutional, cultural and linguistic uniqueness of Catalonia.
In the area of deficits, Junts will propose excluding Catalonia from the financing regime of the Autonomous Communities and facilitating the transfer to the Generalitat of all taxes paid in Catalonia. The PSOE is therefore committed to measures that allow the financial autonomy of the Generalitat and access to the Catalan market, as well as a dialogue on the impact in Catalonia of the current financing model and a plan for the return of the headquarters of companies that abandoned Catalonia in recent years.
The parties agree to an amnesty to seek political normality to address future challenges. This law must include both those responsible and the citizens who, before and after the 2014 consultation and the 2017 referendum, have been the subject of decisions or judicial processes linked to these events.
Beyond the most obvious cases, the parties agree that the conclusions of the investigation commissions that will be established in the next legislature will be taken into account in the application of the amnesty law to the extent that situations included in the lawfare concept could arise. or judicialization of politics.
The two formations also agree on the direct participation of Catalonia in European institutions and other international organizations and entities, particularly in matters that have a special impact on its territory.
Finally, they agree on the investiture of Pedro Sánchez, with the vote in favor of all the Junts deputies who are committed to giving stability to the legislature, subject to "the progress and compliance" of the agreements that result from the negotiations in the areas of self-government and national recognition of Catalonia.
