The relationships among the Catalan pro-independence parties have for a long time been so savage that they run a high risk of generating desertions among voters. The best definition of Catalan politics, it is beginning to seem, is as something in which nothing is certain, even when it appears that it must be. And that is the story of what happened on Saturday: when it seemed probable that the smallest pro-independence group, the far-left CUP, would give the green light to investing Jordi Sánchez as president of Catalonia through the votes of its four parliamentary deputies — if Spanish justice allows it, in itself almost impossible — the party's decision-making organs have proceeded to literally ram the Sànchez candidature. Some party voices have said quietly that it is due to a lack of pedigree. Others accuse him of watering down the radicalism of the pro-independence civil group ANC, which he leads. Incredible! I would have thought that the 138 days he has so far spent in Soto del Real prison deserve a little respect. My respect, he certainly has; as do Oriol Junqueras, Quim Forn and Jordi Cuixart.
Everything suggests that the episode which interrupted the investiture of Carles Puigdemont provisionally in the month of January and which looked as though it could be overcome within a few days, may have caused the ship to become stuck fast where it went aground. Sincerely, I am at a loss to know. I declare myself to be an analytical objector, a category that is probably new, in the face of so much foolishness and politics with a small 'p'. In the next few days the statements and denials will come thick and fast. And the accusations in private, although I am even starting to think that perhaps the fabric is becoming so thin that it could start to tear at some point.
We will see what action Together for Catalonia (JxCat) takes in the face of this slip-up. And we will also see what the other major independence group, ERC, does. And we will see what Carles Puigdemont does. Because there are two paths: when parliamentary speaker Roger Torrent begins this coming week's round of consultations for a new presidential candidate, perhaps now JxCat will not present Jordi Sànchez, who apparently does not have the votes to be elected. If there is no Sànchez candidature, it could be understood that the candidate of Carles Puigdemont - technically suspended - could still be alive. The CUP has said that it does support this candidature, and at the moment this is the only proposition that has 70 votes in favour. An absolute majority in a Parliament with 135 seats.
And if not this option, then elections. The worst path taken since the electoral victory of 21st December last year could end up being the only alternative possible.