Esquerra vindicates the path towards the Catalan Republic as "inextricably" united with improving the lives of citizens, guaranteeing rights and weaving a fairer society

The Chair of Esquerra’s group in the Catalan parliament, Sergi Sabrià has called for steps to be taken to unravel the political, health, social and economic situation in Catalonia. “Rights are won; steps forward are taken. We must do and do and do. We cannot settle with complaining or saying no to everything; we must make things happen,” said Mr Sabrià upon quizzing the President of the Catalan Government, Quim Torra, during question time.

Mr Sabrià warned in this sense that “in general” the steps are best taken by working and agreeing, “and not by admonishing.” He said this bearing in mind that the Government will have to lead the reconstruction of Catalonia after the Covid-19 pandemic. “It will be up to us to do so, aware of what we are seeing these days at home and around the world,” he added.

He said this with an eye on the United States and the anti-racist protests. “Black Lives Matter; all lives matter, in the United States and here,” and thus the defence and call for fundamental rights, which were at their lowest ebb even before the pandemic. “But now too; we do not want social control or racial discrimination. It is not a matter of stepping back, but of advancing in rights and freedom by fighting structural inequalities; all of them,” said Mr Sabrià.

There is no possible post-Covid reconstruction if the predatory privileges of the few are maintained, if we are not able to break the status quo.

Sergi Sabrià Chair of Esquerra’s group in the Catalan parliament

Which is why he warned that no one can be left behind, and that no exceptions or pretexts are valid. “There is no possible post-Covid reconstruction if the predatory privileges of the few are maintained, if we are not able to break the status quo.” And in Catalonia this means guaranteeing equal opportunities for everyone, including temporary workers. “Look them in the eye and offer them solutions,” he added.

All this means guaranteeing rights and equal opportunities in order to improve the lives of citizens, with schooling as a fundamental pillar of social protection. “Guaranteeing rights and weaving a clearly fairer society means improving people’s lives. And we will never stop doing so, precisely because improving people’s lives is inseparable from the Catalan Republic that we need and that is more urgent today than ever," Mr Sabrià concluded.