Alfred Bosch, a Member of Parliament for Catalonia and voice in the Catalonian independence movement, met with An Phoblacht Editor John Hedges in Barcelona. Over 1.5 million people recently marched in Barcelona demanding independence. Bosch hopes to obtain permission for an independence referendum from Spain, similar to the one planned for Scotland in 2014. However, unionists fiercely oppose a referendum and Spanish military figures have threatened force to prevent Catalonian independence.

1. 22 December / Nollaig 2012 www.anphoblacht.com
An Phoblacht meets Republican Left MP Alfred Bosch in Barcelona
ALFRED BOSCH is a Member of Parliament for Catalonia and An academic specialising in History of Africa and
a major voice in the Catalan independence movement. Alfred Europe, he has lectured in universities in Barcelona,
was the main spokesperson in Barcelona for the grassroots Madrid, London, Ibadan, Witwatersrand (South Africa),
people’s referendum on independence from Spain and he Chicago and others.
spoke at this year’s Sinn Féin Summer School in west Cork. An Phoblacht Editor JOHN HEDGES caught up with Alfred
A novelist and author, his books in Catalan are among again in Barcelona prior to November’s regional elections,
best-sellers and have been translated into several when Alfred was again standing for the Republican Left of
languages. He has won the top literary awards in Catalonia. Catalonia.
C ATALONIA is in political
ferment, although you
might not think so tak-
ing a stroll down
Barcelona’s famous La
Rambla from Plaća de
Catalunya amongst the
throngs of tourists even
in the autumn.
Barcelona was a cockpit of revolution
during the Spanish Civil War, pitting not just
republicans against fascists but communists
against anarchists.
On La Rambla, the Hotel Rivoli was for-
merly the headquarters of the Marxist POUM
party that George Orwell joined. Off La
Rambla, close to Plaça de Catalunya, is the
ers were slaughtered. The defeat marked the
beginning of a centralised Spanish state and
the suppression of Catalan identity.
As they marched towards the Fossar de
les Moreres, where the Catalan troops from
1714 are buried, the crowds chanted: “What
do we want? A new European state! What do
the people want? An independent
Catalonia!”
The Spanish Government did not hide its
anger that the Centre-Right President of
Catalonia, Artur Mas, used his eve of Catalan
National Day speech to call for more “justice
and liberty” from Spain. Speaking on televi-
sion, President Mas said:
“Tomorrow, many compatriots will
demonstrate in Barcelona. My heart will be
with you because, ultimately — whether you
Bar Llibertària, a CNT co-op where photo- are demanding a fiscal pact or our own state
graphs and posters of Barcelona’s anarchists — all your voices will be raised in the same
in the Spanish Civil War cover the walls. direction: for more justice and more free-
Alfred Bosch suggests we meet in the dom for Catalonia.”
Cafè De L’Òpera, across from the Opera The open increase in support for Catalan
House on La Rambla. Opened in 1929, it has independence saw the spectre of Spain’s
never stopped operating, not even during fascist past under General Franco appear
the Spanish Civil War. when the Spanish armed forces retired offi-
Just over a month before we sit down cers’ association (AME) issued a statement
under the magnificent mirrors of the Cafè De saying that anyone promoting “Spain’s frac-
L’Òpera, 1.5million people packed the streets ture” (i.e. independence for Catalonia) could
of Barcelona on Catalan National Day (11 be court-martialled. AME named the
September) to demand ‘Freedom for President of Catalonia and all the members
Catalonia’ (organisers said an equivalent of his party as potential defendants in mili-
march in Washington DC would have to tary tribunals.
number 83million). Tension increased after no less a figure
Hundreds of thousands of people arrived than European Parliament Vice-President
in the capital from right across the region on Alejo Vidal Quadras called on Spanish TV for
more than a thousand chartered coaches the Spanish Government to send in the para-
and trains. military police and “take over” the
Speakers and prominent supporters autonomous region of Catalonia to stop it
included music, TV, movie and football stars gaining independence. Quadras, an MEP for
as well as political figures, trade unionists the ruling conservative Spanish People’s
and all other walks of life. Party, said it was time to “stop by any means
11 September marks the anniversary of necessary” independence for the economi-
the 1714 defeat of Catalan troops by Phillip V cally powerful region.
of Spain following a 14-month siege of His call came after Catalonia’s parlia-
Barcelona when 14,000 of the city’s defend- ment voted at the end of September by 84 Catalan National Day: 1.5million people pack the streets of Barcelona

2. www.anphoblacht.com December / Nollaig 2012 23
Dialogue with the Spanish state is what Catalans are striving for, not conflict
Alfred says Catalonia’s ideal aim is a ‘democratic, peaceful, friendly divorce’ from Spain
past under the rule of Franco from 1936 to dum! What have they got to fear if they are
1975. correct and the majority is with them?”
“Our ideal path is a democratic, peaceful, Demands that a certain threshold should
friendly divorce. That’s our aim and we will be reached to validate any referendum result
exhaust all paths to try and go that way.” are rejected. There is no threshold on
And if that’s not possible? That’s where Spanish elections, EU elections or referen-
‘Plan B’ comes in, he says. dums, Alfred points out.
“What the Catalan Government says is “We had very low turn-outs for the
Catalonia and Scotland are the same in broad political terms
that if a way cannot be found through the European elections,” and less than 40% in
to 21 in favour of a resolution to hold a ref- aside the anti-independence unionists — that Spanish political system it should be found some polls. The threshold demand, he says,
erendum on independence within four is a phenomenal number of people, the through Catalan legislation — be it existing or is a strategy by the unionists to undermine
years. Spanish Army Colonel Francisco Republican Left MP points out. new legislation — and searching for the pro- the referendum by discouraging people from
Alamán had previously said in an interview “There is a majority for independence tection of European law and the European voting and effectively recruiting stay-at-
with Alerta Digital that Catalonia would only and the push is coming from the people political system.” home voters to their cause rather than get-
be independent “over my dead body and themselves. The Catalan Government has There are similarities between Scotland ting out a ‘No’ vote.
that of many other soldiers”. He declared responded to this in a positive way and said and Catalonia even though they are obvious- “Why should they ask for a higher thresh-
that the Spanish Army has solemnly sworn that if there is a clear majority of parties after ly not the same, Alfred Bosch accepts. old in this election than others — because
to defend “the non-negotiable principle of the election calling for a referendum on “Scotland and Catalonia are the same in they don’t like the question. It’s as simple as
Spain’s unity” and that they will defend it independence then they will hold one and, if broad political terms,” he says. They have dif- that. They will try to invalidate it whatever
“even with our lives”. passed, will then advance towards independ- ferent histories and Catalans don’t wear kilts way they can figure out.”
ence.” “and we don’t blow bagpipes”, he laughs, The people of Catalonia are looking to
The main obstacle is not public opinion, adding: “But the situation is identical — a the European Union (Ireland takes over the
Tide of history the Catalan MP says, but “Spanish power” — people wants to vote for its future.” Presidency of the Council of the European
the Spanish Government, institutions, the Union from January to June of next year) to
Alfred Bosch speaks with the enthusiasm judiciary, the military and the crown. acknowledge their rights to a democratic
of a campaigning politician who is part of the Despite the veiled and open threats by Unionists vote and self-determination.
tide of history. Alfred and many Catalans political and military figures from Madrid, As we prepare to leave (Alfred is off to
want a referendum from Spain similar to the Alfred Bosch emphasises that dialogue with The majority in the Catalan Parliament more meetings while I’m heading to a
one Westminster has accepted for 2014 on the Spanish state is what Catalans are striving (85%) has agreed that it will hold a referen- Spanish Civil War walking tour of Barcelona),
Scottish independence. for, not conflict. dum “preferably” within its next term, by he stops me to add one more important
“That’s what we’re asking for, the same “What we want to obtain through dia- 2016. Alfred Bosch is not comfortable with thing:
that Scotland is getting. logue is what the Scottish nation has the “preferably” caveat but it was one intro- “A Catalan Republic would be economi-
“We’ve never had so many people on the obtained from Westminster, which is the per- duced by the ruling party of President Mas. cally sound, politically stable and it would be
streets asking clearly and so explicitly for mission or granting or delegation to call a But still, if the conditions are right, it should very similar to what a future united Irish
independence,” Alfred tells An Phoblacht, referendum on independence and self- be held within the next four years, by 2016. Republic could be in terms of population,
recalling the crowd of 1.5million that surged determination. Already the unionists — while fiercely economic dynamism, talent and innovation
through the city the previous month. “We are not fooling ourselves,” he says. resisting a referendum — are building their so we would like to be friends and allies of
Barcelona has a population of 1.6million. He knows this is very hard for many in defences. Ireland in a future European context.
When you take into account the number of Madrid to accept “because of the tradition of Unionist claims that independence is not Together with Scotland and the mid-sized
people who are housebound (such as the Spanish power, which is not of full democra- supported are embraced by Alfred Bosch. “If European countries like Denmark, Holland,
elderly and the sick) and children — leaving cy,” a diplomatic allusion to Spain’s fascist that’s the case, then let’s have the referen- etc, we think we would make it together.”