El futur és nostre

(Missatge als Associats de Reagrupament del seu President, Joan Carretero)

Benvolguts associats a Reagrupament,

 

Fa quatre anys, en un context polític on Catalunya es debatia entre la pluja fina i el peix al cove va néixer Reagrupament, amb un objectiu clar i únic; portar al nostre Parlament una majoria de diputats que declaressin la independència.

 

A Reagrupament sempre ens hem caracteritzat per avantposar la llibertat del país a qualsevol altra consideració; personal, de partit, econòmica o familiar. Hem treballat sense descans, sense demanar ni esperar res a canvi.

 

I el proper 25 de novembre no ha de ser diferent. Per primera vegada un president de la Generalitat es posa al capdavant del procés de consecució d’un estat independent.  És sense dubte un moment històric. I jo no concebo altra actitud, en aquests moments, que la de treballar perquè el president Mas, que ha encetat aquest procés, obtingui el més ampli suport possible.

 

Altre posicionament seria irresponsable. Sé que alguns de vosaltres podeu tenir sentiments contradictoris, jo també els tinc. Però aquest país necessita aquesta generositat; un sacrifici tant petit comparat amb el de tants catalans que anònimament han donat la vida per la nostra llibertat, que honestament no puc eludir.

 

El 26 de novembre el món analitzarà el suport obtingut pel president de la Generalitat que vol liderar el procés cap a la llibertat. Em sap greu dir-ho, però poc importaran els resultats de les altres forces polítiques. El que comptarà és si el poble de Catalunya dóna un ampli suport al procés iniciat pel president o no.

 

I si és així, el primer pas de l’objectiu de Reagrupament, portar al parlament una majoria de diputats independentistes s’haurà assolit.

 

No vull acabar sense dir-vos que em sento orgullós de tots vosaltres, de la feina feta i de la que encara fareu. Sense dubte és el grup de patriotes més generós, treballador i preparat que he conegut. Presidir Reagrupament és un immens orgull, i serà un orgull poder seguir fent-ho.

 

Ens espera molta feina, el procés només ha fet que començar. I amb aquest propòsit us emplaço a assistir a la nostra Assemblea Nacional, el proper diumenge 21 d'octubre a Vic, una assemblea que ha de servir per fer visible altre cop que Reagrupament segueix al servei d'un poble i que, com Catalunya, mai defallirà!

 

Joan Carretero

President de Reagrupament

UNA VICTÒRIA EUROPEA

Gràcies a l’esforç i el treball de molts associats i simpatitzants de Reagrupament, hem aconseguit una victòria d’aquelles que es recordaran. Em refereixo òbviament, a les declaracions del President de la Comissió Europea, Durao Barroso, que va fer la setmana passada. En elles reconeixia que la independència d’una territori d’un estat membre de la Unió Europea s’havia de resoldre d’acord amb l’ordenament legal internacional. Aquestes declaracions van ser motivades com a resposta una pregunta que una eurodiputada vèneta havia adreçat a la Comissió Europea, demanant explicacions per la no admissió a tràmit de la iniciativa ciutadana europea impulsada per un comitè de ciutadans de la UE, i amb el suport de Reagrupament. Sembla que anteriorment, una pregunta del mateix tema havia estat feta per una altra eurodiputada, en aquest cas galesa. És curiós, dit sigui de passada, que siguin eurodiputats d’altres nacions que exigeixin explicacions, i en canvi, els de Catalunya, no moguin un dit, al respecte. Però, vaja, tots ja sabem en quin país vivim…

Petiteses i misèries al marge, la notícia de les declaracions de Durao Barroso, va omplir les capçaleres de molts diaris i l’inici de molts telenotícies i butlletins de ràdio. Naturalment, les interpretacions que se´n van fer van ser per a tots els gustos. Algunes de ben il.lusionants, i d’altres més aviat estrambòtiques. No va faltar l’intent barroer de vincular el fet amb la figura d’Artur Mas, com ho va fer un diari, on i.lustrava la notícia amb una foto de Mas abraçant-se a Durao. Patètic. Però és el joc de la política politiquera.

Potser allò que em va atraure més l’atenció és que les declaracions eren el resultat d’una actitud desacomplexada per part de Catalunya. Efectivament, el desacomplexament, és el que ens caracteritza i ens diferencia d’aquells que fins i tot abans de moure un full es pregunten “I si el moc, què dirà Madrid?“.

També que va convertir-se en una autèntica victòria europea. Els independentistes catalans ens hem convertit en l’avantguarda de la internacionalització del plet català. Molt més que el senyor Duran i Lleida, i les seves amistats perilloses (com el dictador de Guinea Equatorial), entre d’altres raons, perquè ell sempre que viatja, ho fa en la seva condició (orgullosa) de diputat espanyol, i més encara, de president de la comissió d’exteriors.

Cada cop, Catalunya és més coneguda i reconeguda a escala mundial. I això és positiu, francament positiu. Fins i tots els mitjans de comunicació globals ja denuncien la jugada bruta dels espanyols d’aprofitar la crisi per fer neteja del règim autonòmic, és a dir, i més en concret, de l’escàs, ridícul i patètic autogovern de la CAC.

Aquest cas, demostra que més enllà de les dimensions quantitatives que un projecte polític pot assolir, si es treballa amb solidesa, compromís i seriositat, és a dir, si es té una qualitat contrastada, es poden fer molts avenços i molts serveis al país que es vol lliure.

No ens aturarem aquí, naturalment. Hi ha encara molta, moltíssima, feina a fer. I com se sol dir, tothom és necessari, però ningú és imprescindible.

NOTA: Post penjat al DGS, el 04.09.2012

EL MOMENT S'ACOSTA, ÉS L'HORA DE SER FORTS

Aviat tindrem la greu responsabilitat de decidir per nosaltres mateixos. Benvinguda sigui. Serà el moment en què llibertat, patriotisme o dignitat deixaran de ser conceptes per passar a esdevenir fets. Serà l’hora de ser valents i de no tenir por. Serà l’hora també de construir una nova ciutadania que no deixi ningú al marge.

S’acosta el moment de crear un nou país, una nova llibertat, una nova democràcia. Un país en què els nostres homes i dones puguin sentir-se amb iguals drets i obligacions, amb les mateixes possibilitats de desenvolupament individual i com a poble que qualsevol altre ciutadà europeu. Una llibertat en la qual la nostra identitat no esdevingui resistència sinó creativitat, prosperitat i justícia. Una democràcia en què la ciutadania sigui responsabilitat, honestedat i convivència; servir sense servir-se.

I aquest camí de llibertat que volem seguir, que fa temps que molts seguim, té un pas molt important aquest proper dimarts 11 de setembre de 2012, un pas en el que el clam d’un poble per la seva llibertat esdevindrà ja inajornable.

És per això que, amb aquestes breus paraules, us encoratjo a participar en els actes de la propera diada i especialment a la marxa per la reivindicació d’aquest nou Estat de dret, lliure, democràtic i social, integrat a la Unió Europea i que es diu Catalunya.

Joan Carretero, President de Reagrupament Independentista (RCAT)

Actes 11 de setembre

Sant Boi de Llobregat 

- 08:00 h Ofrena floral a la tomba de Rafael Casanova
Desfilada de banderes i acompanyants des de la Plaça de l'Ajuntament de Sant Boi fins a l'església de Sant Baldiri

Barcelona 

- 10:00 h Ofrena floral al monument de Rafael Casanova
Punt de concentració a la Ronda de Sant Pere / Bruc 

- 13:00 h Homenatge al General Moragues
Pla de Palau

- 13:30 h Dinar de Reagrupament Independentista
Pla de Palau

Menú: Amanida "capritxosa", fideuà (amb o sense all i oli), macedònia, aigua i pa.
Preu: 10 euros
Hi haurà servei de bar

- 16:00 h Sortida de Pla de Palau cap a la Manifestació 11s
Després dels parlaments anirem tots junts cap al punt de concentració de Reagrupament de la manifestació unitària.

-17:00 h  Manifestació unitària 11 de setembre : CATALUNYA, NOU ESTAT D'EUROPA 
Punt de concentració de Reagrupament : Passeig de Gràcia / València.  Busqueu el globus de Reagrupament.

«EL GOVERN DE LA GENERALITAT AGENOLLA CATALUNYA DAVANT D'ESPANYA»

RCAT constata que Catalunya està a punt de ser totalment intervinguda per l’Estat espanyol

La Junta Directiva Nacional de Reagrupament Independentista, reunida aquest dissabte al Centre Cívic Cabot i Barba, de Mataró (Maresme,  vol alertar la ciutadania de Catalunya de les doloroses conseqüències que suposarà per a Catalunya acollir-se al rescat econòmic votat pel PP amb el suport de CIU el passat dijous.

El govern de la Generalitat no està explicant les veritables conseqüències del rescat programat  tot i que estan totalment reglamentades i descrites en la norma aprovada. 

Les conseqüències d’acollir-se al rescat són:

1. Espanya passarà a decidir el 100% de la despesa de la Generalitat i del destí dels impostos als catalans.
2. Els terminis de pagament dels deutes públics i el seu ordre de liquidació ja no serà decidit pel govern de Catalunya
3. Es prioritzarà el pagament dels deutes de la Generalitat amb l’estat i no els que deu la Generalitat per als serveis dels seus ciutadans.

Per això, la JDN de Reagrupament reprova l’actitud mesella i poc transparent de l'actual Govern de la Generalitat i li exigeix que es planti i defensi les competències de la Generalitat fins a les últimes conseqüències. Tal com ha manifestat el president, Joan Carretero, la realitat és que «el Govern de la Generalitat agenolla Catalunya davant d’Espanya».

LA VEU DE REAGRUPAMENT, NÚM. 14 (ABRIL 2012)

LA VEU DE REAGRUPAMENT, NÚM 14 (ABRIL 2012)

Publish at Calaméo or browse others.

Ja ha sortit el número 14 de LA VEU de Reagrupament, corresponent al mes d'abril d'enguany. És un exemplar que té com a dossier principal, fer-se ressò de la Iniciativa Ciutadana Europea sobre l'Ampliació Interna de la Unió Europea, a la qual RCAT dóna suport de forma ben activa. Bona lectura!

PP's SIRENS ARE TOO NOISY, FOR CiU's JOURNEY TO ITHACA

"Whenever CiU can choose, they choose PP", Reagrupament´s leader Joan Carretero

Joan Carretero (Tremp, 1955) keeps working as a doctor as well as being president of Reagrupament. In this interview he tells he cannot trust this pretended CDC’s independentism, explains the European Citizens’ Initiative supported by his political association and talks about the relations between his party and the republicans of ERC. He decided not to go on strike on 29th May because he’s already got enough of his salary “stolen”.

-Having attended it, do you think that the last CDC Congress was not an ordinary one?
-No, not at all. I went there to learn. CDC is such a solid company and has an invincible and very well preserved reputation. They perfectly combine and know how to say one thing and do a different one. And most people keep voting them. Therefore, there are lots to learn from them.

- ERC being the alternative way in Parliament, do you think CiU will take you to Ithaca?
-According to their pace I’d like not to be dead when they reach there… ERC has been offering themselves to accomplish several deals but even for the national budget CiU has chosen PP. There is nothing to say as they have the right to do so but obviously they like best Alícia Sánchez-Camacho. A journey to Ithaca having Camacho, Rajoy or Alejo Vidal-Quadras enrolled in the crew would only be heading for Madrid as final destination.

-Ulysses did arrive to Ithaca alone...
- It was a very long journey and not quite successful. So I would have preferred a better metaphor. Mas seems though to be very fond of sailing.

-Those PP sirens are singing too loud?
-So they sing and well, they have a better look and are maybe more attractive for them. As it was put once by a CiU directive, their heart is telling them to choose ERC but their mind turns to PP.

- Besides the mermaids have the safe’s key, haven’t they?

-They are both attractive and rich. But having deals with the so called populars is nothing new. Sometimes we seem to have only a short term fish-like memory. Jordi Pujol did indeed choose PP twice. Now they are trying to mask it all by having weekend outings towards independentism while all serious things are discussed and dealt with PP: Generalitat’s presidency and budget, Barcelona and Badalona city councils, Diputació... Whenever they could choose , they chose PP. And Catalan voters awarded them.

-The relations now between ERC and CiU have nothing to do with the usual ones at the beginning of 21st century?

-Now at least they seem to have a more similar message at weekends.

-Weekends used to belong to ERC only some time ago.
-Yes, but now CiU’s weekend festivals keep in the shade all that happens during the rest of the week, and that’s because Alícia Sánchez-Camacho is now who decides what’s going on in this country.

-This coalition between ERC and RCat is just occasional?

-Yes, just to take part in spanish and local elections. But if this strategy of giving priority to the national claim and stepping forward to get our own state back is to be maintained we would try and make a similar coalition facing the Catalan and European elections and would like to have it also in all the municipalities wherever we have the possibility to do it. We would prefer a more stable coalition but they will decide if that is also convenient for them or not. We clearly think and want our party to be an active part of our Parliament, that’s why we set it up anyway. And we should be pleased in joining efforts with ERC and anyone else willing to do so. However, if such a coalition was not possible, we must think of ourselves as a political force aiming to have an increasing influence in Catalan politics.

-As for possible coalitions you already had a meeting with PNB in order to "explore ways" facing the European elections while ERC has other preferable partners

-Our political party does have its own life. We certainly would like to be partners with ERC, but if not so we must explore some alternative ways. We do agree on many things with PNB and although we don’t agree on some others we would accept being allies with them. We won’t close any doors to any possible partners as long as we can share some basic political aims that we may have in common with them.

-As a Public Health Service worker, were you on strike?

-No.

-Why not?

-Because I don’t want them to steal the money I earn for a working day. What the government wanted was to spare money, with the help of some naïve strikers, in order to improve their own accounts. They have already stolen enough of our salaries.

-The cuts affect mainly Public Healthcare. How do you feel as a doctor?

-That’s the price of being an autonomy. I have never been an autonomist.

-Maybe your salary will depend on a deal between Catalan president Artur Mas and those above mentioned PP mermaids?

- A joke goes that "Mas meets Rajoy and says: I’m going to decide cuts on Catalans. On his side Rajoy answers: Me too". There is an agreement between them in order to apply cuts on Catalans. But this is going to have its cost. We will have worse or lesser services than other countries which don’t have or create as many resources as we do.

- Josep Rull, CDC’s Organization Secretary, said that "we walk towards clash". Is that so?

- Then we should have clashed years ago. I don’t think they are courageous enough to face it up. In a few months time we will hear again that famous statement: “We have finally reached the best financial system in history”.

-Is this going to work out again?

-It has always worked out.

-CDC is saying they will support “tax insubordination”.
-I don’t think their eyes nor mine will ever see that.

-Then you don’t trust Pujol’s political evolution?
-It may be true in his mind or in theory, but Spain does not pay any attention to all these weekend proclamations.

-So you don’t think that Government’s independentism will go any further?

-Look, there will be no independence without Convergència. That’s only too logical as it is the most voted party. However, I don’t trust Convergència’s leaders and that’s not a matter of faith but a matter of facts. The facts in the last years and nowadays speak for themselves. I got the feeling we will stay as permanent members in the club of those willing to go free. But it is indeed our own fault: those Catalan citizens seeking independence ought to vote for parties that are also seeking it. If a nation does really want independence in present Europe, it will get it.

-Hence the European Citizens’ Initiative?
-Yes, if we are able to collect a million signatures that’s going to be a very good help in order to guarantee the European membership of any new states born from the splitting of former states which already were UE members. We won’t give up or get discouraged despite all the predictable political pressure from our Spanish neighbours.

Translation: JJTN

RODA DE PREMSA PRESENTACIÓ INICIATIVA CIUTADANA EUROPEA PER A L'AMPLIACIÓ INTERNA DE LA UNIÓ EUROPEA

WHAT IS REAGRUPAMENT?

Reagrupament Independentista (RCAT), is an association fully committed to Catalonia'sIndependence and Political Regeneration. Though we are not properly a political party, our project is to promote electoral options (local or national lists, coalitions, platforms, etc) to contest elections in order to form a majority at the Parliament of Catalonia willing to pass aUnilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).

RCAT considers that the only way to preserve and promote Catalonia as a nation, is to access to Independence, Statehood, EU and UN memberships. Under the Spanish rule, there is no future, but a more or less slowly process of minorisation, first, and elimination as a people, in the end.

During the last decades, the formation of new states has been a feature of World politics. It is the outcome of globalization and democratization. The new Catalan state, in this sense, will promote democracy and cultural diversity.

RCAT as an association was formed in 2009. Since then, four national assemblies have been celebrated. The I Assembly (october 2009) elected the National Executive. In the II Assembly (march 2010) a political roadmap was approved. In the III Assembly (july 2010), was decided to support an electoral list to contest to the parliamentarian elections. Finally, in the IV Assembly (June 2011), a new National Executive was elected and a reviewed Political Platform was approved.

Joan Carretero i Grau (1955) is the current President of the association. It was so elected in the I Assembly, and again in the IV Assembly. Professionally he is a Doctor working in the Catalan Health Service. He lives and works in Puigcerdà (Cerdanya). Politically, he is a former Puigcerdà Mayor (1995-2003) and a former Catalan Minister of Governance and Public Administration (2003-2006). He doesn't consider himself as a professional politician, but a professional in politics.

RCAT considers that support to Independence is ideologically transversal among the Catalan society. That implies that we can find pro-independence supporters of different ideological perspectives. In this sense, RCAT considers that these ideologically differences must be put aside until the Declaration of Independence. As a consequence, RCAT members come from a diversity of political spaces. We have decided to emphasize those values we share: the fight for Independence, the Political Regeneration and the ethics of Work.

In coherence with the principle of political transversality in the fight for Independence, RCAT has developed a political strategy consistent in building coalitions with other groups and political parties that also promote independence.

Unfortunately, a first offer to build such a coalition made by Mr. Joan Carretero to contest to2010 Parliament of Catalonia election, was rejected by others groups. The lack of a Pro-Independence transversal list was severely punished by voters. The number of pro-Independence MPs fell from 21 to 14. This electoral outcome contrasted with the growing number of pro-Independence supporters showed in media and academic polls and surveys.

Things changed a little bit for 2011 Local election. RCAT members successfully built local coalitions with a number of other pro-Independence groups. In the National Capital,Barcelona, UnitsXBarcelona (UxB) list, a coalition including RCAT, ERC and DC, managed to gain 2 seats. In Girona, RCAT won 1 seat, in a list shared with CUP.

Totally, RCAT saw about 60 local candidates wining a seat. Numbers aside, what really mattered was that a first step to independentists unity had been done. Political analysts and journalists, in this sense, emphasized RCAT capacity to reach agreements with virtually all groups and parties that favour independence.

This experience was so positively valued that facilitated the formation of a new coalition to contest to 2011 Spanish Parliament elections. Now, the coalition was formed between RCAT, ERC (who had changed its leadership just days before), and Catalunya Sí (a citizens platform). Early polls gave to the coalition no representation at all. However, perspectives grew after the first electoral campaign week. Finally, the coalition managed to gain three seats at the Congreso de los Diputados chamber (2 in Barcelona, and 1 in Girona).

Later on RCAT has support the formation of the Assemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC), a grassroots transversal movement. Also, a cooperation with EAJ (Basque Nationalist party) has started following a strategy to make international alliances and partnerships.

To sum up, however modest the outcomes have been, it is well evident that RCAT has been instrumental to reverse a negative trend. Now, the challenge to form a Pro-Independence unity coalition to contest next Parliament of Catalonia elections (scheduled, in principle, in 2014) is unavoidable. RCAT will do its best to make it happen.

REUNIÓ JOAN CARRETERO I IÑIGO URKULLU A GIRONA

Demà, se celebrarà una reunió entre una delegació del Partit Nacionalista Basc (Euzko Alderdi Jeltzalea, EAJ), i una altra de Reagrupament Independentista, encapçalades respectivament per llurs presidents, Iñigo Urkullu i Joan Carretero.

En aquesta trobada s’intercanviaran opinions sobre diversos temes que afecten les nacions catalana i basca, com ara el procés de pau a Euskal Herria, la crisi econòmica, les llibertats nacionals de Catalunya i el País Basc i la negació de drets fonamentals per part d’Espanya, etc.

És la primera vegada que té lloc una reunió entre Reagrupament i el PNB. La trobada es farà al recentment inaugurat loca d´RCAT a Girona (carrer del Carme, 13)

A les 5 de la tarda, tant Joan Carretero com Iñigo Urkullu atendran els mitjans de comunicació.

A leading president or a crumbs manager?

Catalonia´s puppet government outflanked by GOS new policies

Although it was known and expected that once in charge of the Government of Spain (GOS), Mr. Rajoy's Partido Popular (PP), would set up new centralist policies, Mr. Mas' puppet government reaction has been timid and confusing. Even worst, it seems to consider them as minor reforms only. However, with the excuse to deal with the deficit, new GOS is committed to scrap the few autonomous powers still standing after the 2006 Statute of Autonomy disaster. No one understands Mr. Mas invisibility in front such an scenario. In fact, due to PP announced reforms, the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia will become just a mere manager of a Catalan budget, that will required a GOS approval before its final pass.

As usual, PP has spoken loud and clear. They defend Spain as One Nation only, and that no (Catalonia's) right to decide exists and will ever exist. No "fiscal pact" exists either. The same for (Mr. Mas) so much referred, "national transition". Or may be CiU's national transition project heads towards Spain instead of Catalonia?

In any case, those that favour autonomy and sit at Government table, are the first who have to explain the collapse of autonomy. A scenario, by the way, thatReagrupament announced some months ago.

To a serious -as Mr. Mas likes to present himself- President, we only ask him to recognize the gravity of the situation, and change strategy accordingly. Forget gestures, rethoric and appeals to people's will, and practice true President's responsibility. President Mas should be loyal to the people that elected him, and not to a political party (PP) that openly wants to destroy Catalan Identity, Language and Culture. President Mas should be loyal to the people, not financial lobbies, not to a partner with interests in the Spanish ministries.

There is an adult and complete nation, full of problems, debts and challenges, but willing to stand up and exercise their rights within an European democratic framework. Other nations who share similar scenarios to Catalonia's, for example, Scotland, count with leaders decided to end dependency. And we, the Catalans? Do we have a president ready to lead the nation towards freedom and the right to decide? Or a sad manager just satisfied with the crumbs of the crumbs.

Authored: RCat web team

Translation: JS

(Catalan ---> English translators needed)

WHAT IS REAGRUPAMENT?

Reagrupament Independentista (RCAT), is an association fully committed to Catalonia's Independence and Political Regeneration. Though we are not properly a political party, our project is to promote electoral options (local or national lists, coalitions, platforms, etc) to contest elections in order to form a majority at the Parliament of Catalonia willing to pass a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).

RCAT considers that the only way to preserve and promote Catalonia as a nation, is to access to Independence, Statehood, EU and UN memberships. Under the Spanish rule, there is no future, but a more or less slowly process of minorisation, first, and elimination as a people, in the end.

During the last decades, the formation of new states has been a feature of World politics. It is the outcome of globalization and democratization. The new Catalan state, in this sense, will promote democracy and cultural diversity.

RCAT as an association was formed in 2009. Since then, four national assemblies have been celebrated. The I Assembly (october 2009) elected the National Executive. In the II Assembly (march 2010) a political roadmap was approved. In the III Assembly (july 2010), was decided to support an electoral list to contest to the parliamentarian elections. Finally, in the IV Assembly (June 2011), a new National Executive was elected and a reviewed Political Platform was approved.

Joan Carretero i Grau (1955) is the current President of the association. It was so elected in the I Assembly, and again in the IV Assembly. Professionally he is a Doctor working in the Catalan Health Service. He lives and works in Puigcerdà (Cerdanya). Politically, he is a former Puigcerdà Mayor (1995-2003) and a former Catalan Minister of Governance and Public Administration (2003-2006). He doesn't consider himself as a professional politician, but a professional in politics.

RCAT considers that support to Independence is ideologically transversal among the Catalan society. That implies that we can find pro-independence supporters of different ideological perspectives. In this sense, RCAT considers that these ideologically differences must be put aside until the Declaration of Independence. As a consequence, RCAT members come from a diversity of political spaces. We have decided to emphasize those values we share: the fight for Independence, the Political Regeneration and the ethics of Work.

In coherence with the principle of political transversality in the fight for Independence, RCAT has developed a political strategy consistent in building coalitions with other groups and political parties that also promote independence.

Unfortunately, a first offer to build such a coalition made by Mr. Joan Carretero to contest to 2010 Parliament of Catalonia election, was rejected by others groups. The lack of a Pro-Independence transversal list was severely punished by voters. The number of pro-Independence MPs fell from 21 to 14. This electoral outcome contrasted with the growing number of pro-Independence supporters showed in media and academic polls and surveys.

Things changed a little bit for 2011 Local election. RCAT members successfully built local coalitions with a number of other pro-Independence groups. In the National Capital, Barcelona, UnitsXBarcelona (UxB) list, a coalition including RCAT, ERC and DC, managed to gain 2 seats. In Girona, RCAT won 1 seat, in a list shared with CUP.

Totally, RCAT saw about 60 local candidates wining a seat. Numbers aside, what really mattered was that a first step to independentists unity had been done. Political analysts and journalists, in this sense, emphasized RCAT capacity to reach agreements with virtually all groups and parties that favour independence.

This experience was so positively valued that facilitated the formation of a new coalition to contest to 2011 Spanish Parliament elections. Now, the coalition was formed between RCAT, ERC (who had changed its leadership just days before), and Catalunya Sí (a citizens platform). Early polls gave to the coalition no representation at all. However, perspectives grew after the first electoral campaign week. Finally, the coalition managed to gain three seats at the Congreso de los Diputados chamber (2 in Barcelona, and 1 in Girona).

To sum up, however modest the outcomes have been, it is well evident that RCAT has been instrumental to reverse a negative trend. Now, the challenge to form a Pro-Independence unity coalition to contest next Parliament of Catalonia elections (scheduled, in principle, in 2014) is unavoidable. RCAT will do its best to make it happen.