Liberal CDC to reinvent itself in order to achieve an independent Catalonia

Liberal Convergència (CDC), the party which ruled in Catalonia together with Christian Democrat ‘Unió’ for nearly 30 years,wants to reinvent itself. CDC, currently led by former Catalan President Artur Mas, has reinforced its pro-independence component since it split from ‘Unió’ and now aims to “create a new instrument” in line with “the new challenges ahead”. The party also aims to renew its board and Mas suggested a tandem formed by himself and Catalan Government spokeswoman, Neus Munté to head it. All these questions will be discussed this weekend at the 18th CDC Congress and the new steps to take will have to be voted upon by more than 3,000 people.

Former Catalan President, Artur Mas and Catalan Government Spokeswoman, Neus Munté at the Parliament (by ACN)
Former Catalan President, Artur Mas and Catalan Government Spokeswoman, Neus Munté at the Parliament (by ACN) / ACN

ACN

July 8, 2016 02:34 PM

Barcelona (CNA).- Liberal Convergència (CDC), the party currently led by former Catalan President Artur Mas, aims to reinvent itself in order to adapt “to the new challenges ahead”. CDC, which ruled in Catalonia together with Christian democrat ‘Unió’ for nearly 30 years, has reinforced its pro-independence component since the coalition split up and now plans to “create a new political instrument” proper of the 21st century which will have Catalonia’s independence as its main goal. The following steps to take will be discussed this weekend at the 18th CDC Congress and will have to be voted upon by more than 3,000 people. So far, Mas has suggested renewing the party’s board and has bid for a tandem formed by himself and Catalan Government spokeswoman, Neus Munté to head it.

 


After 42 years, the initials for ‘Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya’, CDC, will make way for another political party which aims to be at the centre of the pro-independence movement. The board considers that while the party has been a good instrument up to now, a new one should now be created which must have Catalonia’s independence as its main goal. That’s what the party decided during last week’s “Super Saturday”.

Since then, the board has planned, against the clock, the party congress which will be divided into two parts: this weekend the foundational and organisation basis will be approved and on the 23rd of July the new positions and responsibilities will be chosen.

The party’s new name will be chosen on the first day of the congress, this Friday. There will be at least two options created by naming experts bearing in mind the proposals of party members. One will include the concept ‘Convergència’ while the other(s) will not. 

On Saturday, the ideological basis will be discussed. The proposal defines the new party as “democratic, Catalan nationalist, sovereigntist, Pro-European and humanist” and then adds that the group’s goal is to “turn Catalonia into a state of the EU and address its future search for political centrality with a social, liberal and humanist spirit”. The party also aims to represent “the social centre”.

The attendants will also have to answer a series of question regarding the party’s organisation. However, former Catalan President, Artur Mas has already stated in advance his proposal to create a “presidential tandem”. It would be formed by himself and Catalan Government Spokeswoman, Neus Munté. He aims to be the President and Munté the Vice President.

The congress will be closed by Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, who is also a member of CDC.