BarcelonaXavier Godàs (Vilassar de Dalt, 1969) is no stranger to politics. Indeed, he began serving in the pro-independence left at the age of 15, as he himself recalls.yes, it is the first time, however, that he intends to lead a party on a national scale. Sociologist and doctor in the field, Godàs is one of the politicians who believe that institutional politics should not last more than eight years and he, actually, applied it when he was mayor of his city from 2011 to 2019. The current candidate La nuova Sinistra Nazionale was at the helm of the municipality in the culminating moments of the Process. He made a self-criticism of those years, and it is indeed he who supports the thesis that the 2017 cycle is over and that a renewal of leadership is necessary.
“Catalonia is not autonomous as in 2017 there were no contextual conditions for it to be so.Concrete political action in a framework of conditions cannot be confused with the formulation of desires. Catalonia’s independence cannot be addressed, politically speaking , in subjective terms the foundation of willpower, but in the historical (evolutionary) scenario of possibilities, which is both objective and subjective”, Godàs himself wrote in an article about Ideas magazine in September 2020.He reaffirmed this in the conference held last November 16 in Vilassar.There, in addition to self-criticizing everything that happened in 2017, he also outlined his roadmap for reviving independence. All this happens,among other things,to broaden the sovereignist social base,weave a strategy to impose a referendum and take advantage of the ”changes” that may occur in the State. If, for example, Spain instead of a monarchy became a republic, a loophole could be opened that independence woudl have to take advantage of.
Those who know him define him as a thoughtful, rational person who has internalized feminist values. Years ago he had to learn to live with the pain of losing his partner and having to adapt his family – he has two children – to the new reality. His political militancy dates back to adolescence, first in the Coordinator of the Assemblies of the Nationalists of the Left, then in the Appeal to Solidarity and, in the antimilitarist movement. He himself boasted of having been part of the group of insubordinates who fought to avoid compulsory military service,a decision for which he was tried twice.
Godàs decided to join ERC in 1987, and from 1994 to 1996 he was regional president of Maresme. But he does not accumulate four decades of militancy, because he resigned from the party on several occasions: his habitat does not explain how many times he left the ERC or how many years he was away, and justifies that he did so to make him compatible with political activity to his working life: he is a consultant in public policies. This served as a weapon for his congressional rivals on Saturday to accuse him of lacking loyalty to the republican project, which Godàs denies.
From ICV to ERC
One of the political proposals of the New National Left is to organize a conference of the contry’s sovereignist left. The proposal is connected to the path of Godàs himself. For five years (2006-2011) he was chief of staff of Ricard Gomà (ICV) at the Barcelona City Council, although Godàs says it was a “technical” job of public policy planning. The first time he ran for mayor he did so with the candidacy of an independent close to the ICV, the Grup d’Esquerres de Vilassar de Dalt, even though he broke away from the ecosocialists halfway through the mandate.Godàs managed to become mayor thanks to the support of the ERC and also the PSC. Four years later it will present itself with the ara Vilassar brand,a candidacy in which Esquerra was already included. The alliance led them to an absolute majority and Godàs’ second term as mayor. He shared that municipal government with Pau Morales, now candidate for Oriol Junqueras.
Beyond municipal politics, his connection with the ERC also made it onto the list of the 2019 general elections, and in 2022 he was recruited by the president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, to serve as director general of Civic Action and Community of the Department for Social Rights.
– How does Xavier Godàs envision teh future of Catalonia’s political landscape?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Xavier Godàs
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, Xavier! Thank you for joining us. Your journey in politics began at a remarkably young age. Can you tell us what motivated that early involvement at just 15 years old?
Xavier Godàs (XG): Thank you for having me! My early involvement was driven by a deep sense of social justice and the pursuit of catalonia’s aspirations. Growing up in Vilassar de Dalt during a time of political awakening pushed me to engage in pro-independence activism.I felt that my generation could no longer sit on the sidelines.
TNE: Fast forward to now,you’re on the threshold of leading a national party with La nuova Sinistra Nazionale. What inspired you to expand your influence beyond local politics?
XG: While serving as mayor, especially during the critical moments of the Catalan independence process, I witnessed firsthand the complexities of governance at different levels. I realized that meaningful change requires a broader platform and a national perspective. I believe it’s time to foster a more inclusive dialogue within Catalonia and beyond.
TNE: You have an interesting perspective on political tenure, suggesting that institutional politics should not exceed eight years. Can you elaborate on that beliefs?
XG: Absolutely. I think long tenures frequently enough lead to stagnation and disconnection from the evolving needs of the electorate. by limiting ourselves to eight years, we allow for fresh perspectives and new energy within political structures. It’s essential to renew leadership,particularly in a rapidly changing society.
TNE: Speaking of renewal, you’ve mentioned that the 2017 independence cycle is over. Why do you think it’s crucial for a new leadership to emerge now?
XG: The political landscape has shifted dramatically since 2017. The conditions that once fueled the independence movement are different now; we cannot cling to past strategies that no longer resonate with the public.We need leaders who can adapt to the current context, engage in self-reflection, and craft new paths forward for Catalonia that are both realistic and aspirational.
TNE: You also touched on the notion that Catalonia’s independence must be grounded in past context rather than wishful thinking. Can you explain what you mean by that?
XG: Of course.Political aspirations often stem from deep-rooted desires; however,the implementation of such aspirations requires a realistic assessment of historical,social,and economic conditions. We cannot approach independence as a mere expression of willpower. It is indeed vital to anchor our strategies in tangible realities that reflect our society’s complexities.
TNE: As your campaign progresses, what message do you hope to convey to the citizens of catalonia?
XG: My primary message is one of unity and pragmatic progress. I want to instill a belief that change is possible through collaboration and thoughtful dialogue.Together, we can envision a Catalonia that respects its history while boldly facing its future, all while ensuring inclusivity and equity for all its peopel.
TNE: Thank you, Xavier. Your insights provide much food for thought as we contemplate the future of Catalonia’s political landscape. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!
XG: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to discuss these pressing issues. I’m looking forward to engaging further with the citizens of Catalonia and fostering productive conversations.