The Twenty-Seven are reluctant to adopt Catalan, Basque and Galician as official languages ​​of the European Union

2023-09-10 06:00:05
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, during a press conference in Madrid, July 3, 2023. JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

While the European economy is struggling and the war in Ukraine continues, the Europeans would have done without this debate. But Pedro Sanchez needs their help. Looking for alliances to form a new government after the legislative elections of July 23, the Spanish Prime Minister requested, on August 17, that Basque, Catalan and Galician be recognized as official languages ​​within community institutions ( today there are twenty-four). Subsequently, Madrid decided to propose, on September 19, during the Council of Ministers for European Affairs, a modification of the European regulation to this effect.

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For it to be validated, it must be voted unanimously by the Twenty-Seven. Which seems highly unlikely. Several Member States fear that the Spanish initiative, if it were to materialize, would snowball, while 8% of EU citizens belong to a minority defending the use of their own language. In France, the Bretons, the Basques or the Corsicans might want to follow. Just like, in the Baltic countries, Russian-speaking communities. “In Eastern Europe too – Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia – there are significant minorities”exclaimed a European diplomat. Before continuing: “We are not going to open the door to four languages ​​per Member State! »

The Spanish request also raises budgetary questions: who would pay the translation and interpreting costs? “The EU, since it would be an official language”, replies a Spanish diplomat. Unthinkable, retort Berlin, The Hague or Vienna. “The Spanish approach actually raises many legal questions. For example, whether it would be necessary to modify the treaties”adds a legal expert in community issues.

Political signal

During the meeting of European foreign ministers held in Toledo on August 30 and 31, the Spaniard José Manuel Albares raised the subject with some of his counterparts and is well aware of their resistance. In this context, Spain, which also chairs the Council of the European Union (EU) this semester and which is responsible for organizing meetings between ministers, will not submit the text to a vote on September 19 without being sure that it does not pass. “It’s the start of a process”says a Spanish diplomat.

By hiring him, the EU hopes to send a political signal to the Catalan separatists, with whom the socialist Pedro Sanchez is trying to reach an agreement to retain power, after coming in second place in the legislative elections in July, behind the Popular Party ( PP). “We don’t want to annoy the Spanish, there is no reason for us to interfere negatively in the Spanish political debate”, explains a European diplomat. Before adding: if this text were to be adopted, “many member states would have great difficulties”. In this context, the room for action is small. “We must create working groups, take the time to examine the subject and… bury it gently”deciphers a senior European official.

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