Are the aspirations of Catalan or Basque political and territorial emancipation legitimate? From the point of view of reason, yes they are, but from the legal point of view they must conform to the rules established in the laws. Is the aspiration to change the political formula of the Spanish State from a Parliamentary Monarchy to a Republic legitimate? For the same reason, the answer is also affirmative, but the procedure established in the Spanish Constitution itself for its modification must be followed.
The two examples mentioned are aspirations that, in order to be realized, need a majority of citizens to support them. Firstly, through massive support for the political forces that represent them in the Congress of Deputies and the Senate so that, in turn, they operate the proposals for constitutional changes that would give them a charter of nature. Subsequently, a sufficient social majority would be required to support, where appropriate, the unavoidable referendum to definitively sanction such changes.
These are the legal rules of the game that we have given ourselves to materialize the legitimate aspirations of one and another. These rules require extensive majorities, that is, a widely shared vision of the changes to be introduced because this is part of the root of our political coexistence. Departing from these rules means abandoning and contravening current legislation, with the consequences that this entails.
The aforementioned are just two examples of legitimate aspirations or profound changes in the architecture of our State that are intended for the future by some political forces and many Spaniards that cyclically reappear on the political scene. However, these re-entries usually depend almost always on the socio-economic evolution of the country, and, paradoxically in our political life, generate debates that are usually used for the greater glory of the ultra-right and the ultramontane right.
But, with due respect for the political positions of each one, I am firmly convinced that our country is not now in a position to face these discussions on matters of State. I am not referring to a supposed political immaturity, not at all, but to the fact that we are fully immersed in a relentless health fight against the pandemic and its devastating economic and social consequences on businesses, employment and families. Simply, this combat demands all our attention at this time.
Overcoming the pandemic requires us to focus all our efforts and concerns on that objective, since it must be overcome yes or yes for a mere matter of survival, so, honestly, we do not need nor should we open other fronts. If it were demanded, there will be time for it in better times that, without a doubt, will not be long in coming.
Fco. Manuel Fajardo Palarea, PSOE senator for Lanzarote and La Graciosa.