Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence John Brady TD today hailed the result of the Catalonian Regional Parliament elections as a victory for the pro-independence movement in Catalonia.

The Wicklow TD said:

“Whilst in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a significantly reduced turnout, what we have witnessed in Catalonia over the weekend is a victory for the pro-independence movement.

“Pro-independence parties have taken over half the seats in the Assembly, showing a notable increase on the election of 2017. Parties now have 20 days to form a government.

“The Catalonian Republican Left Party ERC which will form part of a new government if the pro-independence parties can agree a coalition platform, sent out a message to the Spanish government in Madrid, calling for a referendum.

“Pro-independence candidates also called for a meeting of all of the forces that support an amnesty for the pro-independence supporters jailed for their part in the 2017 referendum by the Spanish government.

“The ERC has had a number of senior leadership figures imprisoned or exiled following the Spanish governments crackdown following the result of the 2017 referendum.

“A number of whom met with former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, and the Party national chairperson Declan Kearney MLA in December.

“While I want to congratulate all of the pro-independence candidates in the election, and wish them well in forming a government, I also want to re-iterate the calls of the Sinn Féin leadership for the Spanish government to engage in a meaningful manner with the Catalonian people in order to resolve the ongoing crisis, and to end their repressive measures.”