Unlikely Paths Toward Stability in Spain
When discussions about Spain’s political future arise, the Cercle d’Economia proposes a measured amnesty as a foundational element within a broader pact among the country’s leading political forces. The proposal is not offered as leverage to force a government arrangement, but as a starting point for a larger agreement. A second requirement is clear: those who stand to gain from amnesty must openly acknowledge and respect the constitutional framework. Unilateral moves are viewed as incompatible with any path toward lasting political normalization.
The forum’s memo, produced by a coalition of executives, business leaders, and scholars who typically publish under the banner A way out for Catalonia, a proposal for Spain, is presented as an opinion note. Chaired by Jaume Guardiola, the group contends that a substantial measure like amnesty could help bind Parliament, urging lawmakers to adopt it to foster regional consensus. The memo calls for open, plural discussion with a firm understanding of the State. Without this approach, the rule of law could be weakened. In presenting the note, Guardiola stresses that amnesty should serve as the launching point for a regional agreement.
The Cercle acknowledges that granting amnesty to Catalan independence leaders and to hundreds of public officials and citizens facing prosecution could ease tensions and advance normalization in Catalonia. The group notes that its stance two years earlier helped shape public opinion and contributed to a decision by President Pedro Sánchez to approve the amnesty measure. This influence is described as pivotal in moving toward a broader settlement.
The Cercle outlines two previously discussed options to address Catalonia’s reserve requirements, pushing for a regional agreement between the PSOE and the PP. The note presents a dual track: one aligns with the PP on the amnesty approach; the other engages Junts and ERC in Charter reform and enhanced regional financing. The aim is to weave these tracks into a coherent reform strategy while accounting for political realities.
In the memo circulated this afternoon and reported by La Vanguardia, the Cercle emphasizes two conditions for any payment measures. First, legally, they must guarantee maximum security that the measures will not be struck down later by the Constitutional Court. It argues that poorly designed legislation can yield results opposite to the intended goals. This aligns with the PSOE’s insistence that any proposed solution be implemented squarely within the constitutional framework.
The second condition is that beneficiaries accept the constitutional framework and abandon unilateral approaches. The note argues that continuing on the current path would lead to further disappointment and new clashes. Pro‑independence parties do not need to abandon legitimate goals, but now is the moment to act with responsibility and realism. The opinion underscores that pursuing a self-determination referendum remains unsustainable under current conditions, a view echoed by major political players as they consider Catalonia’s future.
The organization states that grace measures should pave the way for a new political cycle in which the government prioritizes public policies, prosperity, and rising per capita income. It also calls for concessions from the central government, including progress on reducing the deficit and increased infrastructure investment. These positions echo concerns raised in the May edition of the opinion note titled Reactivating the Future. The note outlines a path toward a more productive and resilient economy with stronger governance. The May edition of the Cercle d’Economia opinion note is the cited source.
The discussion also touches on a potential reform of the Statute to establish a truly federal state, suggesting that such a referendum be considered. The group frames this as part of a broad consensus that would connect with the 1978 Constitution, highlighting the need to rethink regional financing within a framework of fiscal responsibility and redistributive equity. The memo emphasizes that reforms should strengthen the soundness of Spain’s regional finances by fostering stability and shared prosperity. The internal Cercle briefing provides this attribution.
The Cercle concludes that the two large parties, PP and PSOE, should present a major regional pact proposal that places a central issue at the core of Spain’s structure. It urges nationalist parties, especially those in Catalonia, to approach the matter with realism and pragmatism, seeking practical solutions that advance governance and social welfare while acknowledging national realities. The text calls for measured, responsible action rather than symbolic or unilateral moves. The attribution comes from the Cercle policy memo.