As it happened on 1st October, when world public opinion had a clear attitude of repulsion to the violent and disproportionate police action during the Catalan referendum, where more than a thousand people of all ages and condition needed medical assistance, the measures of the government of Mariano Rajoy to propose to the Senate the suppression of the Catalan autonomy have been welcomed with stupor and concern by the international media. In a European Union where the governments protect themselves and increasingly leave aside the opinion of the citizens — the case of receiving refugees is not far away — one must resort to the cracks left by diplomacy or to what one finds in the different international media.
Thus, there are several that simply refer to the application of 155 as a coup d'état against democracy in Catalonia. Among them, the British The Independent. For the Financial Times, the conflict is entering its most acute phase, and Rajoy runs the risk of widespread civil disobedience in Catalonia. It also warns the Spanish prime minister about the harshness of the measures that, the newspaper says, could stain the reputation of the EU, "considered as a club of democrats".
These examples reflect two things: the first that the Catalan case has sensitized world public opinion. But also that foreign governments move with feet of lead, and certainly not to the rhythm that the Catalan conflict needs at a time when the Spanish reconquest of Catalonia intends to annihilate its identity. Or is there something that represents the identity of a people more than its institutions, its language, its media and its police? With 155, it is intended to go against all this, in an outrageous attack against the autonomy of Catalonia.
The demonstration on Saturday in support of Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart, who this Monday will have been a week in the prison of Soto del Real, demonstrates that the capacity of mobilization for independence is very high, as well as its resilience. Both things will be on the table of the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, and of the Catalan government, who this week must take an important decision, once it has been proven definitively that the proposal of dialogue is not possible. Based, according to Puigdemont on Saturday night, on his desire to "act accordingly" if article 155 was applied.
It will be on Friday in Parliament, the same day that the Senate will meet. Five days, a time that on many occasions has served to reach decisive agreements, and that on this occasion must clarify the existing black points. And close the agreement of the PDeCAT (Catalan European Democratic Party) and Esquerra (Left), in Junts pel Sí (Together for Yes) and between JxSí and the CUP (Popular Unity Candidacy).