Pro-independence Junts warns: 'If bank requires consultation, Catalonia deserves referendum'

The Catalan pro-independence Junts spokesperson, Míriam Nogueres, has warned the Spanish government that "if a bank requires a consultation, Catalonia deserves a referendum," in reference to the public consultation on BBVA—Banc Sabadell's hostile takeover.

In a speech in Congress on Wednesday, Nogueras said that Catalonia "is well aware of what an institutional and democratic switch off means" and criticized BBVA for trying to "impose a Spanish way of doing that is small-minded and not ambitious" in the territory.

Nogueras responded to Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's announcement of launching a public consultation on BBVA's hostile takeover bid for Sabadell. He addressed the issue on Monday during his opening speech at the Cercle d'Economia business forum in Barcelona, as the government wants to make a decision "with full guarantees," and therefore aims to collect opinions from citizens, associations, and organizations.

Sánchez emphasized that his goal is for Spanish companies "to grow, get bigger and be more competitive," but added that this should happen "only if it benefits the common interest of the public."

Nogueras also blamed Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's role during the massive power outage, as they have not brought any "new relevant data."

Junts is against Spain's labor workweek reduction proposal, as the cabinet wants to push the initiative "without the Catalans' opinions." The executive passed the norm on Tuesday, despite not having enough support in Congress.

Catalan president

The Catalan president, Salvador Illa, hinted, during a speech in the Catalan parliament, that the cabinet is working towards stopping the hostile takeover.

"I do more than what I say, but I am working on it," Illa said on Wednesday, while left-wing parties such as Esquerra, Comuns, and CUP called for action against a financial monopoly.

During his speech, he said that he had already opposed the hostile takeover when it was first announced over a year ago, coinciding with the election campaign to name a new Catalan president.

Some hours later, during a speech in the Cercle d'Economia business forum, Illa explicitly said that he would "prefer if the hostile takeover did not go through." He based his claims on the "grassroot relation" Banc Sabadell has within Catalonia.