Illa: "Until Puigdemont returns and Junqueras can be a candidate, there will be no normality."

Salvador Illa (La Roca del Vallès, 1966) has been in the spotlight this week for his decision to travel to Brussels to meet with Carles Puigdemont. A year after taking office, he's trying to close the door on the independence process by demanding the implementation of the Amnesty Law and reaching an agreement on the new financing model. Decisive weeks are approaching.

Recognition "What was agreed with Esquerra is good and helps move Catalonia forward."

How would you say your arrival at the Generalitat thirteen months ago has changed the life of a citizen of Catalonia?

I'd like to think that the citizens of Catalonia have seen a government dedicated to fulfilling its mission, which is to generate shared prosperity and stability, and to solving problems. I'm humble, and I'm not one of those who think that all problems can be solved in one year, or even one legislative term.

One of your councilors has the cover photo of the return of the La Caixa Foundation to Catalonia in his office. Is the return of companies to Catalonia the decision you're most satisfied with?

The return of the companies that left gives me satisfaction, but what I'm most satisfied with is the 50,000 subsidized housing program. I could mention many things. But housing is the most.

And what part are you not satisfied with?

I would like to move faster, to accelerate the pace of simplifying the administration and improving mobility in Catalonia, particularly in Rodalies.

Rodalies is his biggest unfinished business. Could it end up being his Prestige?

No, I don't see it that way. I don't have that perception. It's an issue that isn't working as it should. I'm convinced that the three lines of action we're working on—improving the roads, purchasing rolling stock, and ensuring governance that's closer to the territory—are the right ones.

The opposition attacks him, saying he's more concerned with pleasing Pedro Sánchez than governing for the Catalan people. It's true that it's hard to find a single criticism of him against the government in the newspaper archives.

The Spanish government is positive for Catalonia. And I'm in favor of collaboration, never confrontation. Some people think you get better results if you confront each other. I think you get better results if you work side by side with the administrations. That means I defend the interests of Catalonia, and I do so with conviction and firmness.

Regarding this independence, did you discuss with Sánchez that he would go to Brussels to see Puigdemont?

I don't have to ask anyone's permission. It's a decision I made, carefully considered and with conviction. And I want to make it clear that I will go all the way on the issue of coexistence. I will do so out of personal conviction and because the responsibility is mine as president of the Catalan people, and I will do so because it is my duty to the rest of Spain.

Meeting in Brussels "I defend a Catalonia for everyone, with Puigdemont, whom I respect."

What does it mean to go all the way?

I will not allow anyone to jeopardize coexistence. That means going all the way. Here we already know what it means to jeopardize coexistence. Out of personal conviction and responsibility, because it is my duty as president, and out of responsibility to the rest of Spain, where that is also important, because Catalonia accounts for 20% of the Spanish population. I defend a Catalonia that belongs to everyone and is plural, therefore a Catalonia with Carles Puigdemont, who has my full respect as former president of Catalonia.

Who puts this coexistence at risk?

Those who practice hate speech and yearn for episodes fortunately overcome or in the process of being overcome. Those who only live in opposition and refuse to accept the rules we have established for coexistence, where everyone has the right to defend their political project. And ultimately, it will be the citizens who will choose who should have the greatest influence in the country's leadership.

“I will go to the end to ensure coexistence”

Are you also referring to the judges who have filed appeals against the Amnesty Law?

I understand democracy as a balance, as moderation between different powers: executive, legislative, and judicial. I respect the role of the judiciary, but I also ask that they respect the legislative power. And anyone tempted to allow the judiciary to invade the sphere of the legislature, or for the legislative power to invade other spheres, is mistaken. This must not be allowed. The Congress of Deputies has approved the legally established procedures for the Amnesty Law. A year after its approval, those who had doubts about its effectiveness, if they make an objective analysis of the current political and social situation in Catalonia, must conclude that it has been beneficial. And if they have doubts about its legality, the Constitutional Court has also ruled. Everyone must play their part, without overstepping their bounds.

Do you also think that there are judges who play politics?

Positive "What I'm most satisfied with is the project to build 50,000 subsidized apartments."

We have seen specific, minority cases of judges who perhaps go beyond what they should. In this sense, I have complete confidence that the judiciary itself has mechanisms to correct these actions, and I hope it will.

On this path toward coexistence, will there be no full return to normality in Catalonia until Puigdemont can freely return?

Yes, until that happens and until Oriol Junqueras can run in elections. Until the Amnesty Law is effective and can be implemented. We're talking about important political leaders in Catalonia due to the active role they play today, with parties like ERC and Junts. One can't run in elections, and the other can, but cannot carry out his political activity in Catalonia. Congress has decided that they can fully carry out their duties, and I want them to do so.

Negative “We have to go faster in Rodalies and in simplifying

Did you discuss this issue with Puigdemont during your meeting?

You must allow me to be discreet about the content of the conversation. That's how I met with President Puigdemont. I can only tell you that what I said to him, I did so with conviction. And it was a very courteous meeting. It's an important step forward.

Was it better than expected? Were you satisfied?

I hadn't even anticipated how it might go. I left satisfied. From this point on, it's clear to everyone that we have very different political positions on some issues, and even antagonistic ones on some topics. But that shouldn't prevent us from engaging in dialogue and holding a meeting with the respect due to a person who has presided over Catalonia and who plays an active role as the top leader of a party that is the second-largest parliamentary group.

Regarding these differences with Junts, isn't the model of society you advocate closer to that of post-Convergentism than that advocated by your current partners, ERC and Comuns?

There are many people who say that. I don't see it that way. I may have points of understanding on this matter with Junts, but I have an investiture agreement with ERC and the Comuns that I will honor. Beyond that, I share a vision somewhere between left and progressive.

Judiciary Some judges go beyond what they should go and that must be corrected.”

All the polls predict a rise for the Catalan Alliance. What is your government doing to prevent its growth?

Defend coexistence with conviction. We must welcome and integrate people who decide to pursue their life in Catalonia. As we have always done. In Catalonia, we have a living memory of what immigration means. The key is how to welcome and integrate. And do so without fear. It's true that the human landscape of Catalonia is changing, as it did in the second half of the 20th century. But that has enriched Catalonia and strengthened us.

Sometimes it seems like you in Parliament give too much prominence to the Alliance...

It's very difficult not to respond to nonsense. A president of the Generalitat, as I understand my position, can't tolerate certain things out of dignity.

BBVA takeover bid "The government has set good conditions to ensure that key features of Sabadell are not lost."

Are you satisfied with the degree of compliance with the agreement with your partners?

These are very demanding agreements, and the Government is fulfilling them and making an effort. Our commitment to the investiture agreements is very clear. Everything agreed with ERC is good and helps Catalonia move forward. Sometimes we have difficulties in governing, but I think we're overcoming them.

In July, he had to withdraw the renewable energy decree due to opposition from the ERC...

It's true that there are problems. They are different political parties, but what we need to do is keep talking. I'm confident we can find a point of consensus that will allow this decree, with the additions we all make, to move forward. I'm aware that I have a minority government, with 42 representatives. I have two investiture agreements that show me the path I must follow to maintain the support of these parties.

Did you think it would be so difficult to close the deal on the airport expansion?

I knew it was a complex issue, but few things have been so clear to me. I didn't come to govern to do "a little more..." or to keep quiet. I came to implement a project for Catalonia, one that has broad support among Catalans. Few things have been so clear to me than that Catalonia, if it wants to continue having a relevant economy in Europe as a whole, must be connected to an airport that's up to par.

Financing We will have news soon to offer a better model that will be beneficial for everyone.”

This week, Sánchez said that if he doesn't have a budget, he won't call elections. Do you think the same? If he doesn't have a budget, will he simply make another spending supplement agreement?

We are currently in an internal budgetary work phase. We have approved the spending ceiling. For the first time in Catalonia, we will be above €40 billion, a significant amount of public resources. But we are not yet in any negotiation process with anyone.

And if there's no budget, will he call early elections like Pere Aragonès did?

I'm just looking to push through the budgets.

Catalonia's tax collection has already been delayed until 2028, when it was originally planned to begin next year.

We'll have news soon. We're working hard to offer a better financing system, which we agreed on with the ERC and which will be beneficial for Catalonia and the entire world. Let me tell you that the only singularity that's detrimental to Spain is that of Ayuso and Madrid. And those who criticize a financing model that will be beneficial for everyone are those who practice fiscal selfishness.

A year ago, you said you would focus part of your efforts on helping Catalonia regain the economic ground it has lost to Madrid. Have we made progress, or are we back in the same place?

I think there has been progress. There are very important companies that have decided to return here, and that has great symbolism. I think the Catalan economy is experiencing significant growth. I can name three levers in terms of innovation and research: the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, the ICFO, and the Alba synchrotron. I see very positive experiences with the companies I speak to.

Fiscal selfishness "The only peculiarity harmful to Spain is the one Ayuso is implementing in Madrid."

You've interpreted BBVA's takeover bid for Sabadell as a potential setback for the Catalan economy's growth.

I've been very clear on this issue. And I reiterate. I believe the conditions set by the Council of Ministers were good for laying the foundations for the specific needs of the Catalan economy. Shareholders will have to decide, but the general interest lies in explicit support for small and medium-sized businesses, autonomy, a specific role for Banco Sabadell, a guarantee that it will operate autonomously for a period of time. Whatever happens, this must be guaranteed.

Being born in Catalonia means being the citizen who pays the most taxes. Are you not going to reconsider?

Our society needs strong public policies in healthcare, education, security... We can't rely solely on debt. We have to pay taxes. The problem is those who are engaging in a race to the bottom with taxes. Fiscal selfishness is a very wrong path. Just like the European countries that are tax havens.

After the summer fires, there are doubts about whether the autonomous state is functioning or not.

It's not in crisis. What's failed are some attitudes. It's very clear who has the powers. They belong to the autonomous regions. And if someone doesn't feel up to it, they can ask to activate the third level of national security. They did it with the blackout to criticize the government, not to help.