A JAILED Catalan independence leader has hinted at a pact with the Socialist (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez to avoid the possibility of a right-wing government being formed after the Spanish general election next week.
Former vice-president Oriol Junqueras, who leads the Republican Left, Esquerra, told a news conference from the Madrid prison where he is being held during the trial of pro-indy figures, said that if elected he would push for a recognised referendum.
Sanchez is ahead in the polls, although the PSOE would be unlikely to be able to form a government without support. This coalition could come from the unionist Citizens, the right-wing Peoples Party and the far-right Vox, which earlier caused a political upset in Andalusia.
Speaking to around 70 journalists by video conference, he said he had an obligation to try to avoid a far-right government.
“We will not apply any red line that is a blank cheque for the extreme right,” he said.
“Nor will we give a blank cheque that becomes a red line for our legitimate aspirations to build the Republic.
“And in this space, between blank cheques and red lines, surely there is a fantastic space for dialogue and exchange of views.”
This was the second televised press conference given by prisoners who are also election candidates, following Thursday’s event with Jordi Sanchez, and appeared to signal a softening of the justiciary line.
The issue of the Catalan political prisoners is to be examined by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) amid claims their right to freedom of expression had been violated.
Spain’s Central Electoral Board (JEC) had previously refused them temporary bail to take part in election interviews and party meetings.
Now it has given Junqueras permission to take part in three interviews, as well as an Esquerra party meeting, in the company of former Catalan foreign minister Raul Romeva.
Junqueras was defiant throughout his conference, adding: “We will do whatever is at our disposal to build this referendum, this republic.”
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