Resignation an Option If Catalan Vote Fails: Artur Mas

Catalonia’s president has said he could resign if the pro-independence coalition of parties fails to secure a majority of the vote in the Spanish region’s elections this weekend.

Spain’s prosperous north-eastern region of Catalonia will be watched closely by the national government in Madrid on Sunday as the vote for pro-independence parties could pave the way towards a slow — but sure — move towards succession from Spain.

The main separatist parties – the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC) and Republican Left of Catalonia, and several smaller parties — have united to give their voice more power.

They have said a win would pave the way for an official referendum on independence but the latest opinion polls show they are just shy of an absolute parliamentary majority of 68 seats, potentially scuppering the movement’s hopes.

Speaking to CNBC ahead of the vote, Artus Mas, the figurehead of the region’s independence movement and president of the CDC, said resignation was an option if the separatist alliance doesn’t get a majority of the seats in the parliament.

“In my opinion if we don’t get the majority (of seats) in the Catalan parliament then we will have failed and we will have to accept the democratic mandate of the Catalan people — and then the Catalan people will have to come to terms with a new political situation,” he said.

“Of course, I’m prepared to resign because when you have a very strong idea and you do your best in order to try to implement it and you don’t achieve your goal, then you have to accept this new situation and one of the ways to accept this kind of situation in the political field is resign,” he added.

Alluding to the possible reaction from Madrid if the coalition triumphs, he said “if we win, others in Madrid, for instance and other Catalan parties will have to accept that we’ve won.”

He said a win would mean the “beginning of a process” of negotiation with the national government on creating an independent Catalan state.

CNBC

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Former Craig

Former Craig

Former Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA at OANDA
Based in London, Craig Erlam joined OANDA in 2015 as a market analyst. With many years of experience as a financial market analyst and trader, he focuses on both fundamental and technical analysis while producing macroeconomic commentary. His views have been published in the Financial Times, Reuters, The Telegraph and the International Business Times, and he also appears as a regular guest commentator on the BBC, Bloomberg TV, FOX Business and SKY News. Craig holds a full membership to the Society of Technical Analysts and is recognised as a Certified Financial Technician by the International Federation of Technical Analysts.