Spain and Catalonia reach first agreements in third round of negotiations

In a highly anticipated round of talks between the Spanish and Catalan governments on Wednesday, Spain promised to promote the Catalan language and “dejudicialize” political questions. 

After years of clashing over Catalonia’s independence and autonomy, Wednesday’s meeting aimed to be a step forward in mending the relations between Barcelona and Madrid.

The most tangible promise made on Spain’s side was a vow to request that the Catalan language be accepted in the European Parliament.

In a press conference following the talks, Felix Bolanos, minister for the presidency, said that the Spanish government also supported new legislation passed by the Catalan government that goes against a court ruling, which stipulates that 25% of all classes must be taught in Spanish.

One of the major drivers of the independence movement in Catalonia came after Spain’s Constitutional Court nullified a political agreement on the region’s autonomy in 2010.

The crisis reached a boiling point in 2017 after Catalonia held an "illegal" referendum and subsequently said it was splitting from Spain.

As a consequence, several Catalan pro-independence leaders were given long prison sentences on charges like sedition, but were later pardoned by Spain’s left-wing government.

“We renounce any action that leaves politics out of the democratic game,” said Bolanos, adding that “now we have majority-supported commitments to overcome conflicts.”