Spanish Prime Minister starts talks with Catalan separatists

Text by: François Musseau

Negotiations have officially started between the national government of Pedro Sanchez and the government of Catalonia of Quim Torra, a pro-independence executive. After three hours of meeting, the two parties decided to convene a monthly meeting, alternately in Madrid and Barcelona, ​​in order to find a solution to the Catalan conflict.

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From our correspondent in Madrid,

A form of negotiation between Madrid and Barcelona has taken shape. A protocol was decided and delegations were formed in each camp. Objective: to bring the two parties together and find common ground, a fundamental thing for Pedro Sanchez since without the support of the Catalan separatists he will not be able to have the annual budget approved, which jeopardizes his very recent government.

On the merits, Madrid and Barcelona stressed that, despite the kind tone of the first meeting, the differences are very important. For the separatists, it is impossible to give up a referendum of self-determination which according to them is approved by 80% of the inhabitants of Catalonia.

→ Read also: Spain: a new negotiating table for Madrid and the separatists

In addition, they demand the amnesty of nine secessionist leaders currently in prison. For his part Pedro Sanchez said he was willing to continue the dialogue, but saying that he would never give in on the impossibility of a referendum, because according to him it would violate the Spanish constitution.

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• Spain
• Pedro Sanchez

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