The Spanish government won't back down and will increase the use of Spanish in Catalan schools but, currently, doesn't know how to do so. That was admitted by spokesperson Íñigo Méndez de Vigo in a press conference after today's cabinet meeting. He did say, however, that the idea wasn't just a "weather balloon" to put pressure on the pro-independence parties trying to form a Catalan government, but that the measure is being planned by the Education ministry. "Doubtlessly, we will do it", said de Vigo, who didn't clarify "the method", saying it was still being studied.
De Vigo acknowledged that they cannot change the relevant parliamentary legislation setting Catalan as the working language in schools. "The linguistic model is up to the Parliament of the autonomous community," he said. As such, the central government is studying how to make room for various verdicts from the Supreme and Constitutional Courts which specify that at least 25% of teaching has to be in Spanish. "We want to match up the law and the education system", he added. "In the implementation of this law there is space to fulfil the verdicts."
The Spanish government is thinking about pursuing the idea whilst article 155 remains in force but believes that, if they are a Catalan government in functions, they cannot ignore court sentences, like with the Sixena. "It's in the soul of this government to govern with full respect for the law, the freedom and rights of parents, on the one hand, and the correct functioning of the education system on the other". According to government sources, they have previously presented various challenges in the courts on the subject, without response.
The measure threatens to stir up controversy because a number of teachers' unions and parents' associations have expressed their opposition. In this context, de Vigo says that they don't need anyone's support. For that matter, neither does PSOE see it as a good idea whilst article 155 is in effect. Nor does their Catalan affiliate, PSC, deputy Meritxell Batet believes that it would attack the model of linguistic immersion. Opposition also comes from Podemos, the only party in support being Ciudadanos who actually want Rajoy to go even further and make Spanish the working language for everyone.