Pilar Castillejo, President of the CUP in the Catalan Parliament, has strongly rejected the left-wing front proposal put forward by Gabriel Rufián, ERC spokesperson in the Spanish Congress. She called it "senseless" and "politically illogical". Castillejo stated on Sunday, 3 May, that the CUP does not understand what Rufián proposes beyond supporting the PSOE government.

Castillejo criticised Rufián's stance in an interview with 'ElNacional.cat', collected by Europa Press. She stated, "The model Rufián proposes is very far from the Catalan reality. He has gone a bit too far. I believe he lives more in Madrid than in Catalonia."

She added that Catalan politics faces a risk of "Hispanisation". This occurs because ERC and Junts have transferred many decisions to the Spanish Congress. This process is emptying the Catalan Parliament of its sovereignty.

CUP's Stance on Housing Policy

Castillejo also addressed Catalonia's housing situation. She argued that simply building more homes does not definitively solve high prices. "If you do not take measures to control the existing market, putting more flats on it is useless," she explained.

She believes a prohibition on speculative housing purchases should apply across the entire territory. This makes the agreement reached between the Catalan executive and the Comuns "insufficient."

Catalan Budget Negotiations

Regarding the approval of the Catalan budgets, Castillejo commented on the Investment Consortium. The Catalan government and ERC agreed on this. She described it as "a way out after the dead end of the Personal Income Tax (IRPF) and the tension it caused."

However, she stated this measure does not bring Catalonia closer to its financial needs. She added, "I do not know if it is an excuse, but they have found a reason for consensus that allows them to move forward."

Independence Remains CUP's Goal

When asked if the CUP supports an economic agreement similar to the Basque Country's, Castillejo clarified this would be a better situation. However, it is not the CUP's "final objective," which remains Catalan independence.

These statements highlight ongoing political divisions within the pro-independence movement and the broader left in Catalonia. They also show the CUP's firm stance on both national sovereignty and market intervention in critical areas like housing.

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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.