BarcelonaIf there is one historic demand of the Val d’Aran that has never been heard, it is the demand that the territory have a permanent deputy in the Parliament of Catalonia. The provisional General Council had already asked for it in the 1980s in the first steps of democracy and this Thursday the mayor of Aran, Maria Vergés, defended in the plenary session of the Catalan Chamber the need to guarantee a representative, reflecting the way in which Croatia he followed up with minorities within his country. The path had already been reactivated with his appearance in December last year, but in the meantime there have been changes in the government and he sees the current phase of “stability” as a good time to succeed.
“From knowledge comes affection and from affection the way of seeing things”, assured Vergés in the press conference after his speech in plenary. Therefore, they are already meeting with the Ministry of Lands and other departments to address this reform. Vergés, of the Unitat d’Aran party – which collaborates with the PSC – asked that “all the capacity that can be had in this matter” be explored on a legal level, examining all the legal formulas, aware that the reform of the electoral system law would be a “complex” mechanism. It has thus opened the door to other avenues such as granting, for example, “an extra space in the same plenum” to guarantee this Aranese territorial representation. “We don’t think it’s something extremely complex and you can always find ways to make it happen,” he said.
The Croatian law cited by Vergés was approved in 1991 and reformed in 2002, with direct implementation in national courts. In fact, the country’s minorities representing more than 1.5% of the population – the Serbian group – are guaranteed from one to three seats, while they can choose other minorities with less than 1.5% of the total – four. This is why in The current Parliament, in addition to the three Serbian representatives, there is one from the Czech and Slovak minority, one Hungarian, one Romanian and one Bosnian-Albanian.
Aranese singularity
Vergés asked that “we don’t talk about Aran only once a year”, precisely at the moment in which we feel most Aran – like this Thursday, with the groups involved -, given the residual nature of the rest of the year “It would be perfectly logical if next year a monographic debate could be held in which groups could present proposals for resolutions and follow up on them, […] that the debate takes root and that the proposals are real”.
At the same time, he underlined that the “singularity” of Aran must be recognized and also insisted that we are talking with the executive and we want to transfer the legal change to the Congress of Deputies so that the General Council “is not considered a local administration” As Vergés explains, “it largely manages autonomous competences in addition to local ones and this consideration of local administration completely undermines what the Statute itself and the law on the special regime say about the capacity for self-management and self-government”. Furthermore, he noted that this leads to “the legal and administrative collapse of the institution”, which “has a direct impact on the quality of the services we offer to citizens”. that a commitment to housing is needed in an area where tourism has put it under pressure.
What unique challenges does Val d’Aran face in terms of political representation compared to other regions in Catalonia?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Maria Vergés, Mayor of Aran
Editor: Welcome, Maria Vergés! Thank you for joining us today. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your recent appearance in the Catalan Parliament has sparked significant interest. Can you tell us what prompted your call for a permanent deputy from Val d’Aran in the Catalan Parliament?
Vergés: Thank you for having me! The demand for a permanent deputy is rooted in our desire for adequate representation. Val d’Aran has a unique culture and identity, and having a dedicated representative in the Parliament would ensure that our specific needs and issues are prioritized in legislative discussions. This is something we’ve sought since the 1980s, and now feels like an opportune moment to push for it, especially given the current political stability.
Editor: That’s a crucial point. You mentioned comparing this initiative to Croatia’s approach to minority representation. Can you elaborate on why you referenced the Croatian model?
Vergés: Certainly! The Croatian law, which ensures representation for its national minorities, serves as a successful example. In Croatia, minorities that constitute over 1.5% of the population are guaranteed seats in Parliament. This kind of legislative framework could inspire our efforts here in Catalonia, providing a clear path for our goals. We believe that by demonstrating how others have achieved similar representation, we can make a compelling case for our own.
Editor: It sounds like you have a roadmap in mind. What steps are you currently taking to engage with the government and other stakeholders about this reform?
Vergés: We’re actively meeting with the Ministry of Lands and other relevant departments to explore legal avenues for this reform. My party, Unitat d’Aran, is cooperating closely with the PSC to analyze all potential legal frameworks that could facilitate our representation. It’s important that we explore every possibility, including the idea of granting an “extra space” in the Parliament to ensure our voices are heard without necessarily overhauling the electoral system entirely.
Editor: That sounds like a pragmatic approach. However, do you foresee any challenges in navigating the complexities of the electoral reform process?
Vergés: Absolutely, there are challenges, mainly because amending electoral laws can be a complex and politically sensitive process. However, we are committed to advocating for our community and believe that with the right support and legal frameworks, we can find solutions. After all, it’s about ensuring that all voices are reflected in the decision-making process.
Editor: Your dedication is admirable. For those who may not fully understand the significance of this reform, could you explain how better representation in Parliament might impact the people of Val d’Aran?
Vergés: A permanent deputy would enable us to better address specific local issues—ranging from economic development to cultural preservation. With dedicated representation, we could advocate for the interests of Val d’Aran more effectively, ensuring that our unique challenges and aspirations are not overlooked in broader policy discussions. It’s about empowerment and ensuring that we have a strong voice at the table.
Editor: It’s clear that this initiative is about much more than just political representation—it speaks to identity and community empowerment. What would you say to other regions with similar aspirations for greater representation?
Vergés: I would encourage them to be persistent and to find allies. Building coalitions with others who share similar challenges may amplify our voices. It’s essential to keep the dialog open with both local and national governments, as well as to draw upon models of success from other regions. From knowledge comes affection, and from that affection, a stronger desire to be heard.
Editor: Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights today. Your passion for representing Val d’Aran is inspiring, and I wish you the best of luck in your advocacy efforts. We definitely look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
Vergés: Thank you! I appreciate the platform to discuss such an important topic. Together, we can make a difference.