Cathartic, emotional, self-critical, sincere, plural, tense and, finally, weighted. This was the meeting of almost nine hours in which the management of Junts had in their hands leave the Government immediately or look for another way outafter the sudden dismissal of the vice-president of the Government, Jordi Puigneroparty leader, by the ‘president’ Pere Aragones. Two observations emerge from the long session: the first, that the party contains very diverse political cultures and sensitivities, if not antagonistic; and the second, that in this scenario Jordi Turulla veteran of Catalan politics, maintains the ability -for now- to pilot the ship without running aground.
The meeting lasted so long because almost all of the more than forty members of the executive took the floor. Therefore, there was no proper debate until late in the afternoon, because the lunch break came before the initial round of interventions had been closed. The significance of the moment was immediately apparent. There was emotion, a certain tension between the speeches of one and the other, and positions began to be outlined.
Those who asked to leave now
Leaders such as the president of the party, Laura Borrasthe MEP Toni Cominthe environment of Borras and -with nuances- the party spokesman Joseph Riusdefended that the cessation of Puignero was intolerable and that it joined a series of affronts from ERC towards Junts that required an immediate decision from the executive: convene a consultation on the departure of the Government the following Monday and, if this slam is ratified, on Tuesday the ‘consellers’ de Junts would not even participate in the Executive Council. Those faithful to Borràs defended her role in Catalan politics and received some internal setback.
This team also claims to have the support of the ‘ex-president’ Carles Puigdemont, who is not part of the executive and who has not explicitly spoken out either, in favor of breaking up the Government. Leaving the Executiu is a measure that is most vehemently defended by those who have the least to lose with the decision. That is, those who have no position or track record in a party. That is what those from CDC or those who are in the administration often reproach this sector: ignorance about the consequences of such a decision. In this sense, one of the emotional moments of the summit was carried out by Albert Batettparliamentary head of the party, apologizing for having asked in his day that the ‘consellers’ leave their seats as deputies.
The role of Joseph Rull
And not everything is black or white. The members of the Government, along with heavyweights such as the ‘exconseller’ Joseph Rull, who was one of those imprisoned on 1-O, had two important interventions. He asked for high-mindedness, generosity and sum. And he was one of those who claimed not to make the decision in the heat of the moment, to convene a meeting of the national council -the highest body between congresses, chaired by Rull himself- so that the territorial representatives, the sectoral spokespersons and the ideological currents could participate. And he drew again a unity message.
The ‘ministers‘, each with their accent, also raised a complex view of the matter. And it is that they did not embrace continuity in the Govern de Aragonès at any price. They were and are critical of the lack of ERC transfers. They regret the lack of unity of action, for example in Madrid. And they appeal to continue in the Government only if the requirements that have been raised are met. It’s Turull’s “we can’t go on like this”. names like James Giro either Victoria Alsina they are much more inclined to continue governing.
From the intervention of all began to take shape a consensus proposal. Those who have already left the Government still think the same but turull he drew a line with which he bought time. And in that line two combinations appeared: withdraw the allusions to a matter of trust that have so unnerved Aragonès (about which there is self-criticism) if the negotiations advance over the weekend, and at the same time demand the reinstatement of Puigneró. Something that the most sensible in Junts know that he has no chance of prospering.
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The solution adopted: negotiation on the weekend, definition of the question on Monday and consultation on the 6th and 7th, avoids acting “with your stomach”, in the language of ‘turullista’, and allows you to save time. But what will happen?
Turull will personally negotiate with Aragonese, but the different families of the party have already been activated to influence the exit or not of the Government. If the negotiation advances, the question that the executive asks on Monday may lean towards one side or the other. Nobody knows the result, but Turull, once again, has gained time and is at the helm.