Catalan Separatists Could Drop Unilateral Claim, Official Says

(Bloomberg) -- Catalan separatists are considering dropping their unilateral claim for independence ahead of December’s election in exchange for a negotiated deal, according to a party official.

Marta Pascal, who acts as general coordinator for ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont’s PDeCAT party, said her platform could omit the promise from its manifesto if the central government agrees to hold talks as equals. Without giving up on independence entirely, Pascal said a “bilateral” accord is an interesting option. This change in paradigm would means the party wouldn’t declare independence unless it’s negotiated with Madrid.

“We need to look for new ways to move forward,” she said on Cadena Ser radio Thursday. “The unilateral claim responded to the Spanish government’s lack of interest in talking.”

Her comments come after El Pais newspaper reported Wednesday that both Puigdemont’s platform and its former pro-independence ally ERC were exploring a more nuanced reference to independence as part of their election manifestos that are still in the works.

December Elections

After a declaration of independence from Spain last month resulted in hundreds of companies moving their legal base out of Catalonia and the central government takeover of the region’s powers, pro-independence parties are struggling to keep momentum going ahead of the Dec. 21 elections.

Puigdemont remains in Belgium after fleeing Spain as he awaits a Belgian decision on acting on a European arrest order from a Spanish judge in Madrid seeking charges of rebellion and sedition that could see him behind bars for up to 30 years.

Meanwhile, his deputy Oriol Junqueras remains in prison pending trial over the same charges in Madrid alongside half the ousted Catalan regional government. All of them were sacked after the government of Mariano Rajoy invoked unprecedented constitutional powers to take control of the rebel region, overseeing police forces and civil servants in Catalonia.

On Wednesday, Rajoy said the central government would respect the result of the election even if pro-independence parties win as long as they abide by the constitution. Polls so far show a split parliament with no obvious majorities. Pro-independence ERC party is predicted to win the ballot, while pro-union Ciutadans and the Catalans Socialists are set to add seats too.

To contact the reporter on this story: Maria Tadeo in Madrid at mtadeo@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Fergal O'Brien at fobrien@bloomberg.net, Zoe Schneeweiss, Charles Penty

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