Catalan leaders Pere Aragones and Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau did not extend a formal welcome to Spain’s King Felipe VI at the opening ceremony of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), a gesture interpreted as a political rebuke. The same stance appeared at the official dinner for MWC participants the day before, when Aragones and Colau declined to join the royal procession, signaling their opposition to the monarchy in a public setting.
Aragonés, who previously held the post of Catalan prime minister, articulated a vision for advancing a path toward possible independence. In a statement circulated through the Catalan government’s social channels, he signaled his aim to secure an agreement that could include a referendum on Catalonia’s future status with Spain as soon as next year.
He argued that 2023 should be viewed as a year to pursue a clear arrangement that would strengthen domestic legitimacy and enable Catalonia to present a proposal poised for international recognition. The stance reflects a broader push for political decision-making that can withstand scrutiny from national authorities and gain support from international observers.
Aragonés also emphasized the need to repair the political road toward a formal referendum on Catalan independence, framing the moment as an opportunity to confront the state with a concrete plan for self-determination. The remarks underscore a persistent aspiration within parts of Catalonia for a definitive statement on the region’s future and its relationship with Madrid, particularly in a climate where regional governments seek to leverage international attention to advance their objectives. [Source: RTVE]