catalan meps

Catalan MEPs see EU as success story in need of serious reform

May 10, 2017 02:32 PM | ACN

Catalan representatives in the European Parliament from all political parties agree that “there are many reasons to celebrate” Europe Day but warned that the EU should push ahead an ambitious agenda of reforms in order to survive. In the wake of Europe Day and the recent victory of Emmanuel Macron in the French Presidential Elections, the CNA spoke to the MEPs of the Republican Catalan Left (ERC), the Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT), the Green Party (ICV), the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), the People’s Party (PP) and Ciutadans (C’s) as well as to some independent MEPs about how they see the future of the EU.

Catalan MEPs report “disgraceful and anti-democratic” 9-N sentence to the European Parliament

March 14, 2017 02:24 PM | ACN

Catalan MEPs from left wing pro-independence party ERC Josep Maria Terricabras and Jordi Solé, and Ramon Tremosa, representing the Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT) sent a letter to the 751 members of the European Parliament condemning Monday’s sentence against former Catalan government figures over the 9-N symbolic vote on independence, which took place in Catalonia in 2014. They consider “disgraceful and anti-democratic” the sentencing to a two year-ban from holding public office for former Catalan President, Artur Mas and the 21-month and 18-month bans for former vice president Joana Ortega and former Catalan Minister for Education Irene Rigau for allowing the non-binding referendum to take place. The Catalan MEPs assured in their joint letter that the court’s decision “will not deter the Catalans' will to express their views at the ballot box”.

Tajani urged to keep his word and allow Catalan in the European Parliament

January 19, 2017 06:30 PM | ACN

Catalan MEPs asked the new president of the European Parliament, the European People’s Party’s Antonio Tajani, to maintain his promise and make it possible for them to speak Catalan in the plenary. During the electoral campaign for the chamber presidency, Tajani said that he would use all his power to allow Catalan to be used in parliament “as soon as possible” if he receives a petition “from the national authorities”. In a letter written in this language, the Italian added that he would put “no obstacles” to introducing Catalan. His Catalan promise came after the socialist candidate, Gianni Pittella, the ECR candidate, Helga Stevens, and the Greens/EFA candidate, Jean Lambert, also promised to allow the use of Catalan in the European Parliament.

Catalan MEPs report Forcadell’s prosecution to European Parliament plenary session

December 13, 2016 02:29 PM | ACN

Left wing pro-independence ERC MEP, Josep Maria Terricabras and Catalan European Democratic Party PDeCAT MEP, Ramon Tremosa have urged the EU to respond to the prosecution of the Parliament’s President, Carme Forcadell. “Don’t let Spain undermine with all impunity our democratic and fundamental European rights”, stated Tremosa during Monday’s plenary session in the Euro chamber. The debate, held in Strasbourg, included the presence of EU Commissioner for Justice, Vera Jourová, whom Tremosa called on not to be “indifferent to the actions of the Spanish State against Catalan democratic politicians”. Forcadell will be summonsed on Friday by the Spanish authorities for allegedly breaking Spain’s Constitution when allowing the pro-independence roadmap to be put to vote in the Catalan Chamber, last July. Forcadell could potentially be debarred from office and face a fine.