Catalan President Salvador Illa used his appearance at the World in Progress (WIP) international forum, organised by PRISA Group, to call for “uncompromising democratic radicalism” as the best way to avoid “magical solutions” amid what he described as a global moment of political re-foundation.
Illa opened his first public address since the official mourning period for the Toledo train accident by remembering the victims and their families and thanking emergency personnel. Speaking before Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, he said upcoming elections would help determine whether the current transformation leads to progress or regression.
The Catalan president warned that authoritarian movements were seeking to undermine confidence in democratic institutions by presenting democracy as incapable of guaranteeing security. He said this approach encouraged people to accept the sacrifice of democratic institutions in response to extreme fear.
With Spanish general elections approaching, Illa described the central choice as a fundamental contest between democracy and authoritarianism. He referred to Brazil and to the United States midterm elections taking place this week as examples of the broader political struggle. Democracy, he argued, is not an abstract cause but a foundation of social coexistence and the prevailing way of life.
Illa acknowledged growing public concern about security, including in Barcelona, where recent violent disturbances led to shops being looted in the city centre. However, he argued that security also means access to housing, a universal and free healthcare system and a decent salary. Referring to the increase in Spain’s minimum wage, he questioned who could offer stronger guarantees of security than policies addressing these social needs.
Sources: El País Internacional.