Catalonia's Leaders Meet for the First Time: A Step Towards Dialogue

On Tuesday, Catalan President Salvador Illa met with former President Carles Puigdemont in a historic meeting at the Generalitat delegation in Brussels. This marks the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since Illa took office a little over a year ago. Puigdemont arrived on foot, ten minutes early, while Illa had been waiting after arriving by car an hour prior to their meeting. Illa's government describes this meeting as part of a broader initiative to engage with previous leaders, highlighting it as a sign of institutional normality. The context of their meeting is significant; it comes after the Constitutional Court has endorsed the amnesty that Illa has advocated for, with the intention of promoting dialogue and reconciliation. This meeting occurs during Illa's trip to Brussels to inaugurate an exhibition at the European Parliament celebrating the millennial anniversary of the Monastery of Montserrat. Notably, Illa's public agenda did not include meetings with other community institution representatives, focusing his time and efforts solely on this pivotal dialogue with Puigdemont. Prior to this meeting, the two leaders had only communicated by phone, including a courtesy call from Puigdemont to congratulate Illa upon his investiture. Historically, Puigdemont's presidency coincided with a different leader of the Catalan socialists, Miquel Iceta, making this meeting particularly significant. During his first three months as president, Illa met with former presidents José Montilla, Jordi Pujol, Artur Mas, Quim Torra, and Pere Aragonès, excluding Puigdemont, who remained an active political leader. This exclusion drew criticism from Junts, Puigdemont’s party, particularly concerning Illa's two prior trips to Brussels, where he chose not to engage with Puigdemont. Illa emphasized that the amnesty he is advocating for stems from a desire to foster dialogue amidst an ongoing political climate that many describe as repressive. This first meeting in person between these two key figures is seen as a potential turning point in Catalonia's political landscape and the ongoing discussion regarding independence and representation. Both leaders are aware of the discomfort surrounding their past interactions, with Puigdemont once alluding to historical grievances regarding the Socialist Party's involvement in the repression faced by independence supporters. As Catalonia continues to navigate its complex political reality, this meeting may herald a new phase of dialogue between divergent political perspectives, challenging longstanding divides and seeking common ground for the future of the region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2