President Torra asks that Catalonia be excluded from state of alarm or be deemed 'competent authority'
Spanish president says purpose of regional leaders' meeting is to strengthen consensus
Catalan president Quim Torra has asked Spanish president Pedro Sánchez to either exclude Catalonia from the state of alarm measures ordered to deal with the coronavirus public health crisis or to name the Catalan government the "competent authority."
This exchange was confirmed by Catalan government sources after the eighth online meeting of Spain's regional presidents on Sunday.
During this meeting, Torra expressed his dismay at not receiving a reply to a letter sent to Sánchez on Wednesday requesting a meeting with him, calling it "lack of institutional respect."
The Spanish president responded to Torra's comments by insisting that the "purpose" of the regional presidents' meeting was to strengthen consensus and to coordinate regional efforts ahead of loosening lockdown restrictions.
The Catalan leader, however, says he is "surprised" that the Spanish government speaks of cooperation, co-governance, and dialogue when they cannot have a "simple chat." Torra argues that the regional leaders' meetings are only for hearing what Sánchez has already informed the public of: "I still believe this is not the best way to discuss matters."
As for relaxing confinement measures, Torra believes this is being done "too quickly," and has also questioned whether the 4 billion euros that are estimated to be needed to revitalize the economy in Catalonia are included in the 16 billion relief fund for regions announced by Sánchez.