The former president of the Generalitat José Montilla has called on the pro-independence parties to "turn the page on the process and its consequences" and has offered to find "a way together" that will allow it, without mentioning the amnesty that these parties demand, time that has ordered them to "tell the truth" and to recognize that the balance of the process has not been positive for Catalonia.
In a statement by the former president released this Friday on the occasion of the Diada de l'Onze de Setembre that is celebrated next Monday, Montilla recalls that this event comes at a time of uncertainty regarding the governability of Spain that "will last several weeks" and he acknowledges that his resolution is "in the hands of the pro-independence parties" to which he reminds that they have 14 of the 48 elected seats in Catalonia.
"Although it may seem like a paradox, I believe that this is a situation that offers us many opportunities," celebrates the former president. "Firstly, to find among all a way to turn the page on the process and its consequences," says Montilla, adding that "it is necessary for everyone to be able to tell the truth without fear of being disqualified by their own and strangers". And for him the truth is that the balance of the process "has not been positive for Catalonia." "Neither self-government has been strengthened, nor are we any closer to any secession. But it has generated a multitude of negative effects that are sufficiently known," he reasons.
Montilla also addresses those who believe that "all this was an ephemeral flash," to whom he warns that "they must know how to understand the underlying problems that remain unsolved." For this reason, he warns that Catalonia "does not want to remain installed in this situation of blockade."
Secondly, the former Catalan president urges to put on the table "with ambition" issues related to self-government and the needs of Catalonia that, in his opinion, "we will only be able to resolve if we are capable of building an agreement." "A pact in Catalonia and a pact between Catalonia and Spain, based on mutual recognition, loyalty, co-responsibility and respect for the rule of law," details the former socialist leader.
For Montilla, turning the page would allow Catalonia to recover internal cohesion and also its ambition to play a leadership role in Spain, but he warns about "the limits" of this mutual approach. "Dialogue and negotiation require patience and tenacity," warns the former president of the Generalitat, who anticipates that "it will be necessary for there to be a lot of discreet work, first, and transparent, later."
For this reason, he expresses his desire that all those involved "live up to their responsibilities" and predicts that if there is an agreement "we will lay the foundations for a period of stability and understanding that will allow for more and better self-government."
