Employers show “unconditional” support for Catalonia’s right to vote
CNA
Barcelona (ACN).- Catalonia’s employers and chambers of
commerce have reinforced their commitment to Catalonia’s right to vote
and expressed their wish to give “unconditional” support whatever the
result of the upcoming Catalan elections on the 27th of September. The
president of the employers’ association CECOT, Antoni Abad, said that
"the right to decide is a structural element of a democracy", adding
that “we must re-establish Spain or found a new state”. The 17
employers’ associations and the 13 chambers of commerce already showed
their support for Catalonia’s process of sovereignty in the ‘Manifest
del Far’, a document signed in 2014 and that was the basis of this
Thursday’s public event. The businessmen handed a copy of this document
to the President of the Catalan Parliament, Núria de Gispert, who stated
that such an event was “necessary” and added that “the time of
ambiguity is over”. The employers showed their commitment at a public
function at ‘La Pedrera’, one of Gaudí’s most iconic buildings in
Barcelona, and the event was attended by both internationally renowned
economists and members of civil society.
All the Catalan employers’ associations, except for ‘Foment del
Treball’, and every chamber of commerce renewed their signatures from
‘Manifest del Far’ (the Lighthouse Manifesto), which was introduced in
May 2014 to demonstrate the support of Catalan businesspeople for the
9-N consultation. On the other hand, ‘Foment del Treball’, which
represents the biggest companies in Catalonia, sent a document to those
political parties who are running in the upcoming Catalan elections.
They warned them of the “logical uncertainty of the business sector”,
especially regarding Catalonia remaining within the EU, keeping the Euro
and “the consequences of not doing so”. The association also denied the
plebiscitary nature of the 27-S elections and stated that the new
government should be formed within the law.
Unconditional support
The employers’ association CECOT, PIMEC, the small and medium-sized
enterprises association, and the FemCAT foundation were amongst the
thirty employers’ associations who pledged their full support to the
27-S election result.
The president of CECOT, Antoni Abad, said that employers have
examined many studies which show that the quality of democracy
contributes to “the development of a good economy” and emphasised that
the right of people to decide their own future is a “structural element
of a democracy.” He made it clear that “businessmen are not afraid of
democracy, but of ignorance and intolerance” and recalled that there has
been no dialogue in Spain “since the transition” which has “severely
impaired” the functioning of the economy. “For decades, businessmen in
Catalonia have considered the need to count on a comparable state. We
must re-establish Spain or found a new state,” he declared.
The president of PIMEC, Josep González, said that he hoped for “peaceful elections on the 27th
of September”. Referring to recent comments against independence made
by certain members of the People’s Party, González described “fears and
historical comparisons” as “lamentable”.
Economists defend an independent Catalonia within the EU
The ceremony was opened by journalist José Antich who pointed out
that it was necessary to claim the right to self-govern and the right to
decide. Antich used the latest PP proposal of reforming the
Constitutional Court (TC) as an example. The reform would allow the TC
to fine and even suspent from office all those civil servants and
politicians who won't adhere to the Court's rulings. The PP's candidate
to run for President of the Generalitat, Xavier García Albiol, admitted
that the modification was especially designed to stop Mas' push to
independence, which unionist say is unconstitutional.
Internationally renowned economists, such as Columbia University
Professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin, made several presentations to
demonstrate the economic viability of an independent Catalonia and the
costs associated with staying in Spain. Sala-i-Martin recalled the
biblical story of David and Goliath, but pointed out that in this case,
the giant is not so strong and the young pastor is not so weak. "The
Spanish government is acting extremely weakly because of its rulers, who
falsify documents and change laws for their own interests. Meanwhile,
the Catalan economy is strong and vital, as demonstrated by its exports,
its universities and its companies” he concluded. However, “the great
strength of Catalonia is its high hopes”.
Economist Joan B. Casas emphasised the issue of fiscal deficit and
showed how Catalonia’s budget suffers chronically from its relationship
with the Government of Spain.
Miquel Puig also presented at the event, defending the process of
self-determination for Scotland and the democratic debate in the UK as
an example to Catalonia. The economist affirmed that Catalonia would
remain within the EU and maintain the euro, “there are so many
industrial and financial interests behind it, that Catalonia would not
be able to leave the EU and the euro even if we wanted to” he said.
Treball’, and every chamber of commerce renewed their signatures from
‘Manifest del Far’ (the Lighthouse Manifesto), which was introduced in
May 2014 to demonstrate the support of Catalan businesspeople for the
9-N consultation. On the other hand, ‘Foment del Treball’, which
represents the biggest companies in Catalonia, sent a document to those
political parties who are running in the upcoming Catalan elections.
They warned them of the “logical uncertainty of the business sector”,
especially regarding Catalonia remaining within the EU, keeping the Euro
and “the consequences of not doing so”. The association also denied the
plebiscitary nature of the 27-S elections and stated that the new
government should be formed within the law.
Unconditional support
The employers’ association CECOT, PIMEC, the small and medium-sized
enterprises association, and the FemCAT foundation were amongst the
thirty employers’ associations who pledged their full support to the
27-S election result.
The president of CECOT, Antoni Abad, said that employers have
examined many studies which show that the quality of democracy
contributes to “the development of a good economy” and emphasised that
the right of people to decide their own future is a “structural element
of a democracy.” He made it clear that “businessmen are not afraid of
democracy, but of ignorance and intolerance” and recalled that there has
been no dialogue in Spain “since the transition” which has “severely
impaired” the functioning of the economy. “For decades, businessmen in
Catalonia have considered the need to count on a comparable state. We
must re-establish Spain or found a new state,” he declared.
The president of PIMEC, Josep González, said that he hoped for “peaceful elections on the 27th
of September”. Referring to recent comments against independence made
by certain members of the People’s Party, González described “fears and
historical comparisons” as “lamentable”.
Economists defend an independent Catalonia within the EU
The ceremony was opened by journalist José Antich who pointed out
that it was necessary to claim the right to self-govern and the right to
decide. Antich used the latest PP proposal of reforming the
Constitutional Court (TC) as an example. The reform would allow the TC
to fine and even suspent from office all those civil servants and
politicians who won't adhere to the Court's rulings. The PP's candidate
to run for President of the Generalitat, Xavier García Albiol, admitted
that the modification was especially designed to stop Mas' push to
independence, which unionist say is unconstitutional.
Internationally renowned economists, such as Columbia University
Professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin, made several presentations to
demonstrate the economic viability of an independent Catalonia and the
costs associated with staying in Spain. Sala-i-Martin recalled the
biblical story of David and Goliath, but pointed out that in this case,
the giant is not so strong and the young pastor is not so weak. "The
Spanish government is acting extremely weakly because of its rulers, who
falsify documents and change laws for their own interests. Meanwhile,
the Catalan economy is strong and vital, as demonstrated by its exports,
its universities and its companies” he concluded. However, “the great
strength of Catalonia is its high hopes”.
Economist Joan B. Casas emphasised the issue of fiscal deficit and
showed how Catalonia’s budget suffers chronically from its relationship
with the Government of Spain.
Miquel Puig also presented at the event, defending the process of
self-determination for Scotland and the democratic debate in the UK as
an example to Catalonia. The economist affirmed that Catalonia would
remain within the EU and maintain the euro, “there are so many
industrial and financial interests behind it, that Catalonia would not
be able to leave the EU and the euro even if we wanted to” he said.
More on
Antoni Abad, Business Association, Catalan Employers Association, Catalonia Sovereignity, CECOT, Chambers of Commerce, Josep González, Manifest del Far, Núria de Gispert, PIMEC
Catalan employers associations show full support to Catalonia's right to vote
