Articles by Jordi Pujol
Closer Europe
February 01, 2012
Sometimes in these editorials we have said that though the current European crisis is serious and perilous, it can also have positive consequences. There is the danger, for example, that the euro and the European Union will emerge from it in a bad shape,resulting in a loss of economic and political weight in the world. That would entail a loss of wealth and welfare. Yet the crisis might also help and push Europe to make a great leap forward towards closer integration and closer unity. And eventually, towards a stronger Europe with a greater capacity to exercise influence and stimulate renewed growth.
Each and every one's responsibility
January 25, 2012
The situation facing Catalonia is truly grave. The Christmas bonus was in danger, many suppliers are being paid late – as are town councils -, the Catalan Government has had to cut salaries and subsidies, and there is a danger that the welfare state will be affected, and so on. To crown it all there is also a real risk that the Spanish government will curb the powers of the Generalitat, the Catalan autonomous government.
Those who seek to avoid it should get to work right away
January 18, 2012
The debate around Catalonia’s status in the Spanish state is making headway. Whether it is the question of funding, the real of autonomy, or the viability of Catalonia as a country within the current institutional framework of the state.
On the viability or unviability of Catalonia
January 11, 2012
There seems to be an increasing desire for independence in Catalonia. And this is logical given the evolution of state policy towards our country. Even though it’s difficult to gauge the importance of this fact, and we are still unsure if it will last. In part, it will depend on the treatment that Catalonia receives in the coming years.
The scale of the drama
December 21, 2011
The government of the Generalitat has recently had to adopt a very painful measure. One that has hurt us, the Catalans, indeed everyone. So it compels us to reflect on the scope and gravity of what has happened. For a government to function properly there are two things that must not fail: salaries and debt financing, that is, payment of interests and maturities. This does not mean that everything else is not binding or does not need timely compliance, only that in critical moments some extra room for manoeuvre is needed.
What does a closer Europe mean?
December 14, 2011
Last week’s editorial entitled if everything works out well we will have a closer Europe came out just two days before the Brussels summit, which has made some substantial progress in tackling the economic crisis and achieving a closer Europe, although probably insufficient.
If everything turns out well we will have a closer Europe
December 07, 2011
In today’s editorial we reproduce some paragraphs of a letter I wrote to the recently retired President of the European Central Bank, Jean Claude Trichet. In the letter, which was written to mark the end of his term, I congratulated Mr Trichet for what I regard as his skilful administration of the institution. I have always believed this, even when he was criticised for not further cutting interest rates, despite the demands to that effect. He refused, and was right to do so. I truly believe he did a good job.
The definitive end of deceit
November 30, 2011
In the light of the Spanish general elections, and the European crisis and its political and social repercussions on both Spain and Catalonia, we originally proposed three editorials to coincide around the election date of 20 November in order to underscore that the time for deceit had come to an end. That is, “of saying white when everyone knows it is black, of saying it’s spitting when it’s teeming with rain”. On 9 November we published Will the deceit come to an end?, followed on the 16th by Confidence, in difficult times, in which warned that to face the hard times ahead Catalonia has enough human and social capital to assure our future.
Victory for seriousness
November 23, 2011
We had said we would run a series of three of editorials on the Spanish general elections of November 20. The first (8 November) was entitled “Will the deceit come to an end?” That is, following the 20 November elections it will no longer be possible to lie or conceal. In general terms, we must call a spade a spade.
Confidence in difficult times
November 16, 2011
Last week’s editorial – “Will the deceit come to an end”– addressed two questions. The first, that the economic situation – with its ensuing social repercussions – is grave. This is known to all, even though it’s hard to admit. As it is also hard to admit that, as Mrs Merkel says, Europe will probably take a decade to fully overcome the crisis. We hope she is wrong. Moreover, assuming the crisis is prolonged, it will not be as tough as it is today. It’s likely that, although not next year, we will begin to see improvements from 2013.
