Mixed party reactions on Catalan and Spanish presidents' meeting
Some groups saw it in positive light, while others more critical
There have been mixed reactions from parties after today’s meeting in Madrid between Catalan president Quim Torra and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez.
The pro-independence group Esquerra Republicana, saw it in a positive light, but expected more. “From the meeting we can take away good words and willingness but nothing new,” said spokesman Sergi Sabrià.
Left-wing pro-independence CUP were also sceptical, regretting that the Spanish government does not recognize that there are “political prisoners” or “exiles,” according to spokesmanVidal Aragonés.
The unionist People’s Party in Catalonia attacked the Spanish president for letting down people in Catalonia who are not in favour of independence. “Today Pedro Sánchez has proven that he has abandoned Catalans who feel Spanish,” said Xavier García Albiol, the party leader.
Ciutadans also criticized the Spanish leader. Inés Arrimadas said that Sánchez was “confusing Catalonia with separatism.”
The Socialists in Catalonia were happy with how the meeting went, expressing their satisfaction and highlighting that “keeping independence as an objective does not impede dialogue,” as said party leader Miquel Iceta.
PDeCAT was also “satisfied,” but warn that it “does not give a response to the Catalan situation.”