The PSOE denies that it is negotiating a referendum as ERC says and limits it to its fight with Junts to be the most pro-independence party

Rejects the initiative for independence supported by Junts and accuses the PP of being "on the side of confrontation"

MADRID, 25 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The PSOE spokesperson, Esther Peña, has "outrightly" denied that her party is negotiating a self-determination referendum for Catalonia, as ERC says, and has supported the statement of Oriol Junqueras's party in their fight with Junts to see "who is more pro-independence" in the pre-campaign of the Catalan elections on May 12.

"I will be emphatic. The PSOE is not in any negotiation that talks about ruptures, referendums and divisions," explained the socialist spokesperson when asked in an interview on TVE, collected by Europa Press, about whether it is true that it is negotiating a referendum with ERC, as its general secretary, Marta Rovira, assured over the weekend.

Peña has maintained that they have not spoken about the issue with the independentists and has pointed out that to understand the issue it is necessary to know that Catalonia is "in a pre-electoral period where there are maximum positions" and that between ERC and Junts "there is a battle to see "Who is more pro-independence?"

"We frame everything in this electoral issue, which, as I say, we do not share in substance or form, but I understand that they have every right to present it," he continued, stating that in the PSOE roadmap "there is no there are ruptures and there are no divisions" and that the country "is growing five times more" than the European Union average.

The socialist leader has stressed that a popular consultation "is not on the table" and that the PSOE does not opt ​​"neither now nor in the future" for options that divide society. Furthermore, she has once again said that they cannot make their investiture partners renounce their "political maxims."

The PSOE spokesperson has also referred to the Government's decision to appeal to the Constitutional Court (TC) the decision of the Parliamentary Board that admitted a Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) for processing that requests that the Catalan Chamber declare the independence of Catalonia.

According to what he said, the socialists have always been "clear" and have expressed that they did not like the proposal. He has also recalled that even the Parliament's own lawyers issued reports against the initiative and that did not make Junts rethink the meaning of their vote.

Peña has refrained from giving more details about this appeal to the Government's TC and has limited himself to saying that the matter will be addressed in tomorrow's Council of Ministers.

Asked which formation should take the first step to lower the tone of the tension installed in Spanish politics, the PSOE spokesperson defended that "only the Party is on the side of confrontation, insults and nerves." Popular".

This attitude was seen, as he has maintained, in the debate that took place last week in the Plenary Session of Congress on the creation of the investigation commission into fraudulent purchases of masks during the pandemic. "The rest of the political groups showed their positions without any falsehood, without any personal criticism, without any dehumanization," he added.

Peña has also delved into the PSOE's request for the resignation of the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, pointing out that no party is free from cases of corruption appearing in its ranks but that the socialists acted "with forcefulness" and collaborating. with justice, while the Madrid PP has responded by criticizing the Prosecutor's Office, the Treasury and the press.

In this sense, he has demanded that Ayuso explain how the house where he lives was paid for, since if he does not do so it is because he has "a lot of nerves and a lot of fear" and his resignation should be demanded.