anton costas

‘Cercle d’Economia’ on independence declaration: it stems foreign investment and forces companies to leave

November 20, 2015 08:05 PM | ACN / Sara Prim

“It is indispensable and urgent to change Catalan politics’direction”, stated this Friday the Cercle d’Economia’s president, Anton Costat. The main Catalan economic forum open to businesspeople and academics warned that the declaration of independence, approved in the Parliament by pro-independence forces ‘Junts Pel Sí’and CUP “breaks the law”and could cause “a strong social fracture”, and emphasised that “a wide majority of society”didn’t support the text. According to Costas “there have been negative effects on business decisions regarding investment and location of corporate headquarters in Catalonia” since “the first minute”the declaration was approved. Such consequences, added the Cercle d’Economia, would be even greater if ‘Junts Pel Sí’and CUP finally reach an agreement.

‘Cercle d’Economia’ call for a “legal and agreed” consultation if pro-independence forces win 27-S elections

September 16, 2015 06:48 PM | ACN / Shobha Prabhu-Naik

The ‘Cercle d'Economia’, a Catalan economic forum open to businesspeople and academics, are in favour of a “legal and agreed” consultation if pro-independence groups have “clear” support in the 27-S elections. The forum, which is against a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (‘DUI’ in Catalan), stated that allowing the consultation is a “democratic principle” inherent in the Spanish Constitution. The Cercle d'Economia presented its views in an opinion piece which had to be redrafted since the first draft presented on Monday by the president of the organisation, Anton Costas, created differences between board members.

Business and Socialist pressure to talk and to reform Constitution, but Spanish Government remains opposed

May 30, 2014 10:30 PM | ACN

On Thursday and Friday, several messages were sent from business circles and the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) aiming to negotiate a Constitutional Reform to find a better accommodation of Catalonia within Spain. However, on Friday afternoon, the Spanish Government once again closed the door to such a Constitutional Reform saying there was "no consensus". In the morning, Spain's largest business owners association stated that "laws are not immortal" and "can be changed to adapt to reality". The day before, the President of the Cercle d'Economia business lobby said he supported "a legal" consultation vote "agreed with Spain", but asked the Catalan President "to give dialogue a second chance" and reform the Constitution if necessary. On Friday, the Secretary General of the PSOE stated that such a Constitutional Reform should be negotiated among the governing People's Party (PP), the PSOE and Catalonia. However, it would not recognise Catalonia's right to self-determination. The CiU's 'number 2' replied that the Spanish Government rejects talks.