Catalan and Spanish governments to resume talks in July
Negotiation table was halted due to Covid-19 after only one meeting between cabinets had been held
The Catalan and Spanish governments are expected to resume their talks on the Catalan independence conflict next month.
On Wednesday, Spain's vice president, Carmen Calvo, said in Congress that they would arrange a meeting in July.
"It's the only way to find a solution within the constitutional framework and with this exotic democratic thing of recognizing others, those who do not think the way you do," Calvo said of the talks, facing criticism from the People's Party.
Spokesperson María Jesús Montero admitted on Tuesday that the time and place are yet to be determined, but reaffirmed Madrid's commitment to a "negotiated resolution" of the conflict.
Talks frozen due to Covid-19
The Spanish and Catalan presidents met on February 6 to kick off talks.
This led to the launch of meetings between both governments, with 8 people on each side, who were committed to holding one per month – although each cabinet has very different starting points.
Yet, these talks have only taken place once so far, on February 26, in Madrid.
Covid-19 forced the negotiation process to a halt, although Catalan president Quim Torra said it could continue via video call.
Even within the Catalan government, one party, Torra's Junts per Catalunya, is more skeptical about any possible outcome, while the other, Esquerra Republicana, is more optimistic.
Criticism from Spanish right-wing parties
As for Madrid, both groups in the coalition government, the Socialists and Unidas Podemos, have expressed willingness to move forward in dialogue, while the three right-wing parties have harshly criticized the talks.
People's Party MP Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo accused the Socialists of having a "fanatic deal" with Esquerra, and said Pedro Sánchez's party is in the midst of a "moral and ideological crisis."