Jakob Augstein, journalist, co-owner of Der Spiegel by virtue of being a relative of Rudolf Augstein, who was its great editor for more than 50 years, and currently one of Germany's most influential figures, has published an article in which he asserts that Germany mustn't allow the extradition of Catalan president Puigdemont and asks for him to be granted political asylum. He also describes the Spanish state as centralist and says that it has acted against its own people. Augstein concludes that the arrest of the Catalan president is a disgrace for Spain, for Europe and for Germany.
Hundreds of articles have been published in the last two days, since the Catalan president was detained in Germany a few kilometres from the border with Denmark, in media all over the world and not all of them, obviously, taking the same point of view as Augstein. But the vast majority make it clear that the extradition should not occur. Monday's editorial in The Times says as much using different words: in spite of being clearly opposed to the independence of Catalonia, the British newspaper has demanded that Rajoy start speaking to his opponents and stop jailing them. In Germany, all the television news programmes have been opening their bulletins with Puigdemont or Catalonia, just as has happened in Scotland, where Catalan minister Clara Ponsatí resides, with images of a large mobilization at the University of St. Andrews, where she is a teacher.
It is obvious that the arrest of Puigdemont and the presence of political prisoners within the EU is, like it or not, a European issue. A major European issue because of what it implies about the denial of freedoms in the heart of the EU. Or is it acceptable that Puigdemont, Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Turull, the three candidates proposed for the position of new Catalan president following last December's election which concluded with a clear pro-independence victory, are all currently in jail, the last two in Spanish prisons?
Defending their political rights, improperly taken from them, must be the main duty of the Catalan leaders who emerged victorious from the polls on 21st December. Even if they are in a regime in which their liberty is under supervision, as the Spanish authorities do not tire of saying. This defence is the unavoidable obligation of the pro-independence block which has a majority in Parliament, and in general it should be the united response of all those political groups that have nothing to do with the application of article 155 and the suppression of Catalonia's autonomy.
Recovering the institutions that were taken away from Catalans can only occur through a democratic victory against the Spanish state. This took place on 21st December, when Catalans made a clear decision at the polls. A fact that should not be forgotten by the losers of that election despite the difficulty they have in digesting it. But neither can the winners ignore its importance when it comes to applying the result.