Albano Dante Fachin, the Podemos leader in Catalonia who was recently deposed by Pablo Iglesias, leader of the Spanish mother party in Madrid, has summed up what is at stake with the catalan elections this 21st december and why the non independentista left should vote "Independentista" and NOT what is left of Podemos/Comuns in Catalonia.
His points are the following: (More or less translated from his speech in the video below. I have only done the first 5 minutes, if anyone is interested I'll do the rest)
He has always been critical of aspects of the process in the catalan parliament and admits that the independence of Catalonia is not his objective, that's why he was in Podemos, to fight for a plurinational Spain that would leave behind the corruption of the PP, the King and the regime of 78.
So why vote Independence now in this election?
Because it is the biggest blow that can be levelled at Rajoy. On the 1st of october in Catalonia it was clearly shown that anyone, in Andalusia, in Madrid or in Galicia who opposed Rajoy or the Francoist imposed king would be "attacked/beaten up". If you are independentista the state will attack you but if you are republican or federalist they will use violence against you, too. In this context it is essential to give a clear response in order to defeat Rajoy and his use of violence. The most dignified result at this moment in time would be a victory in the election for "Independence". It's not about being independentista or non independentista, it's about being a democrat. On the 1st of october the international media showed our neighbours, young and old, Independentistas and people who are not, being brutally beaten for their desire to vote. Now those same international media will be watching the night of the election and it is vital that it is shown that the people have dignity and that no corrupt politician or imposed king can impose their will with batons.
I will vote independentista...because if they don't win the majority the big winner will be Rajoy and his corrupt party. Rajoy will come on TV and boast he has beaten the independentistas but be careful as they won't be the only defeated, it will include everyone who has defended the right to vote. He will have defeated all those who want real change like we demanded in the public squares on the 15M movement.
I am not surprised that the PP, PSOE and ciutadans support the regime of 78 but I am sad to see Podemos' position. I am surpirised that a formation that came to take on the regime of 78 has adopted such a terrible position. (they are sitting on the fence which only strengthens the right) I believe that every vote for Podemos/Comuns will be a vote that favours Rajoy, whether we like it or not those votes will be counted as votes against what the people did on the 1st of october. Podemos have said we have to "move on". How can the people who came from the 15M movement say that now? When we have just seen the largest act of democratic dignity in Spain in the last decades. There is something that worries me more, they say they fight for an agreed referendum, that would be magnificent but unfortunately any vote for Podemos/Comuns will weaken that possibility as their votes will counted as "against" and the repression will also intensify. Only the strength of the people can obtain an agreed referendum.
