Federal Spain in Federal Europe

BRUSSEL I have always been a great fan of Spanish democracy, but especially since February 23rd, 81. On that dramatic day, Colonel Antonio Tyro tried to make a stamp against the new democratic regime.

In his book The Anatomy of a TimeJavier Cercas describes how, under threat of the Tiro gun, three Spanish political leaders stood in their seats refusing to hide under the table. None of them ] leader of the communist party Santiago Carillo, Adolfo Suarez, the first prime minister in the post-Franco period, in democratic Spain, and Suarez's deputy, General Gutierrez Mellado, trembling. It was an act of courage and determination that anchored democracy forever in the Spanish soul. Under threat of Tiro's weapon, Spanish democracy was born.

Today, 36 years later, Spanish democracy must strengthen itself once again to overcome the deep division created by the unconstitutional government of Catalonia seeking to separate from the Spanish Republic. Today's Democrats must once again testify to the disciplined determination of Carillo, Suarez and Mellado in order to overcome the biggest political crisis since the Tentim-puchi of Tyre.

Spain's Democrats should not believe that law and justice can address all problems with the Catalonians. Of course, Spanish authorities will not overcome the crisis with police violence, even though the national government's efforts to stop Catalojna's independence referendum were based on constitutional order.

What is needed now is a renewed political vision, a comprehensive dialogue. This vision can only be multicultor, multilingual, a federal state located in a federal, multicultural, and multilingual Europe.

Catalan separatists were wrong to call an illegal referendum. No one can democratic government without the rule of law. But it is also true that the existing legal structure is unable to heal such a large political division. A stable dialogue that is the real power of politicians and citizens between the leaders of Spain and the Catalan separatists is the only way to find solutions.

I don't think it's in the interest of the Catalan people to follow the path of separation. The fact that the public referendum violated the Spanish Constitution is not the only reason I don't support it. The question for me is that the referendum lacks any democratic legitimacy. It was clear in advance that most Catalans, recognizing the illegal nature of this enterprise, would not participate. Indeed, in all the evidence that has arrived, it seems possible that most Catalans, including those who stayed at home during the protests, would oppose partition.

Out of the inability to achieve even a minimum of voter turnout, pro-independence leaders found the result before the results came out. Their deceptive tactics reflected their disturbing will to manipulate their citizens. The declaration of independence on the basis of a flawed referendum was an irresponsible political act that ignored democratic norms.

Such responsibility is a threat not only to Spain but also to Europe, and also to Catalonia. As with many other referenda, this counterfeit vote for independence has opened a major rift in Catalan society. Families and neighbors are now divided and badly divided on many occasions. The only people to benefit from this legal masquerade, as we know, are those who want to destroy the EU and who are already beginning to exploit the cause of Catalan independence for their intentions.

That's why it's vital for all the people in Spain, they have to act to stop a passing through and instead start negotiating. The future of Catalonia, and the future of my community flagand in Belgium, where some also hold sway for independence, lies to brutal division, but in cooperation within federal structures, in federal Europe.

Experience with the Bask State is illustrative in that sense. Under Spanish democracy, Basks have developed their region for the benefit of their people, and not only by defeating terrorism, but also to reinstate themselves as proud and autonomous.

In politics, no compromise has been taken. Quite the opposite: When a choice should be made between a constructive agreement and ideological cleanness, it is always best to choose the course of unity, however small the step is.

In His Famous Book The march of foolishness, American historian Barbara Tuchman warned against rushing away the biggest for the smallest “and the “when the unworkable in the sacrifice of the possible.” Leaders on both sides of Spain would do well to hear her words. Periscope