July 15: The power of veto
To accept only a negotiated referendum when one of the indispensable parties has no intention of agreeing, means granting them the power of veto
There are two debates concerning the Catalan independence referendum. One is real: for and against having one. There are those who believe that Catalonia’s future will be decided by voting and those who believe that Spain’s unity is sacrosanct and it should not be open to a vote. The other debate is somewhat fictitious: a unilateral or a negotiated referendum. It is fictitious because we aren’t debating what would be the better alternative: the vast majority believe a negotiated referendum is preferable. But it turns out that one of the parties which would have to agree to it, the Spanish state —and in particular the Spanish government— does not wish to agree to anything (whether it be legal guarantees, the date or the question itself) since, in fact, it is on the other side of the initial debate from the outset: it opposes any kind of referendum.
Therefore, what do we mean when we speak of a unilateral or a negotiated referendum? In reality, we mean whether the Spanish state has the power of veto. To accept only a negotiated referendum when one of the indispensable parties has no intention of agreeing, means granting them the power of veto. Are we in favour of the power of veto? Those who would only support an agreed referendum sometimes remind me of that worn out, sexist joke about a husband who claims to have the last word on any decisions made at home. "Catalans have the final word on anything that affects them". And what is that? "Whatever Madrid says".
