The Catalan Independence Leaders Send a Warning to Pedro Sánchez

Three days before the start of the new legislature and with the investiture hanging in the air, Junts has yet to reveal whether it will opt for blocking or give in. Amnesty remains one of the non-negotiable conditions for Carles Puigdemont's party. However, the decision has caused a rift among the prisoners.

The prisoners in ERC's orbit, such as Oriol Junqueras and Dolors Bassa, are in favor of negotiating specific conditions without jeopardizing the legislature. Junts's prisoners, like Jordi Turull and Josep Rull, want to push the limits to the end. Even at the risk of breaking it.

Joaquim Forn's Warning

One of the latest to speak out has been Joaquim Forn, from Junts's orbit. The former Interior Minister convicted of sedition has warned PSOE that "amnesty is not the endpoint but the starting point." For him, the amnesty law will not be enough to solve the Catalan conflict.

In an interview on Catalunya Ràdio, the former minister referred to the socialist offer of an amnesty law in exchange for the support of Junts's seven deputies. For Forn, this will not be enough. "People didn't vote on October 1 for amnesty, but for something else," he stated.

Forn makes it clear that they will only negotiate in exchange for their real goal, which is the self-determination referendum for Catalonia. Regarding amnesty, he reiterates the same message that Puigdemont's circle has been conveying. They will not accept an individual solution but a general amnesty "for the 4,000 prosecuted" of the procés.

In Favor of the Common Pro-Independence Front

Joaquim Forn aligns with Junts's hardline sector, willing to block the legislature if there is no firm commitment to self-determination. This contrasts with a more pragmatic position of prisoners and "prosecuted" like Junqueras, Bassa, or Marta Rovira. They are calling for advances such as the transfer of Cercanías and a fiscal pact for Catalonia.

Esquerra has also emphasized the common pro-independence front, which Junts has rejected due to strategic disagreements. The post-convergents do not trust ERC and want to conduct negotiations separately and discreetly. The republicans, on the other hand, insist that the 14 pro-independence deputies negotiate the investiture together.

Joaquim Forn has also spoken about this. For him, the two pro-independence parties must negotiate together "the country's issues" in Madrid. He has reminded that pro-independence is stronger united than separated. And he has expressed confidence that there will be progress in this regard.

Turull and Rovira, Called to Understand Each Other

The only possibility right now to rebuild the bridges between both formations is the understanding between Jordi Turull and Marta Rovira. Despite their differences, the two maintain an excellent relationship. The moderate sectors of both formations see them as the two leaders called to rebuild unity.