• Pandemic.Coronavirus in Spain today, last minute live
  • Graphs: Map of the coronavirus in Spain: evolution of cases by Autonomous Community

Nationalists and Independents have forced that in the midst of a pandemic and a state of alarm due to the coronavirus, about seven interpreters are forced to travel to Madrid and attend the Senate in person so that the senators understand each other. The cause is because the PNV, ERC and JxCat have refused to use Castilian in an "exceptional" way in the General Commission of Autonomous Communities, to be held on April 30, and which will bring together, besides senators, the Government and to representatives of all regions.

Given the seriousness of the health crisis and the situation of social confinement, the president of this commission, the socialist Manuel Cruz , proposed last Thursday during a meeting with the spokesmen the possibility that this time only Spanish would be used, despite that the Senate regulations state that co-official languages ​​such as Basque, Catalan, Basque or Valencian are equally usable during this type of session.

The proposal alluded to the problem that official interpreters would have to travel from their respective communities -because most live outside Madrid- to the capital, which would entail, apart from the logistical problem to move in full alarm, an obvious risk for your health due to the coronavirus. It should be remembered that Madrid is today one of the worst sources of contagion and, therefore, one of the most risky places.

Furthermore, it implies that translators would have to physically go to the Senate in contradiction to calls to expose their workers as little as possible to the virus.

Despite posing the measure as something "exceptional" in light of the circumstances in which the country finds itself, the spokesmen for ERC, PNV and JxCat flatly refused, as confirmed by different parliamentary sources, and appealed to their right to be able to express themselves in the other co-official languages ​​of the State. As the regulation protects its position, because the senators have the option of using any of the co-official languages ​​in this commission, the offer fell on deaf ears. It is not even something that can be voted on.

"It is putting nationalism ahead of health"

In any case, the matter did give rise to an intense exchange of positions between the parties. PP and Ciudadanos endorsed the proposal as being appropriate to the circumstances and called on nationalists to put aside "ideological prejudices". "They have lost a magnificent opportunity to have a gesture of solidarity with the workers," lament popular sources , who disapprove of the lack of empathy and caution in a context so complicated that it crosses the country.

From Ciudadanos they emphasize that they asked the other forces to be "sensible" to stop using languages ​​"that are also Spanish" under a "nationalist prism". "You can't put nationalism ahead of health," they reproach.

Given the refusal of the PNV, ERC and JxCat, the PSOE spokesperson did not join in a firm way with Cruz's approach, according to socialist sources, because it was not a matter of generating a "conflict" and because on top of any other consideration they are going to defend the use of linguistic wealth. Likewise, the Confederal Left - which gathers forces from the orbit of Unidas Podemos or Más País - also opposed the proposal.

After the debate, the Senate proceeded to notify the interpreters. In each session there are usually seven (three from Catalan and Valencian, two from Galician and two from Basque). Now they will have to see how to go and return to Madrid, with the limitations that exist in trains or planes. In addition, the offer of hotel accommodation -if they need it- is also very limited. While Sánchez insists on confinement, they will go so that the senators can understand each other.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Senate
  • Coronavirus
  • Covid 19
  • ERC
  • PNV
  • Junts per Catalunya
  • PP
  • PSOE
  • Citizens
  • Manuel Cruz

PoliticsPedro Sánchez faces the extension of the state of alarm cornered to the right and left

CoronavirusAttention of the Congress to Sánchez: the decree of economic measures is approved with more abstentions than yes

PoliticsThe Government maintains that Cs, JxCat, Más País and Compromís join its National Reconstruction Table