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Salvador Illa: »I pray in Catalan, I curse in Catalan.
But I speak Spanish with my wife «
Photo: Andreu Dalmau / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
All against one - this is how the election campaign in Spanish Catalonia runs before the regional elections on Sunday.
Salvador Illa, who was the Minister of Health in Madrid until a few days ago, is running for the socialists.
Since then, the polls for his party have risen massively: it is now on par with the separatists, in some it even leads.
In Spain one speaks of the »efecto Illa« - the Illa effect.
The candidate Illa wants to unite society after years of conflict.
Since the conflict over the illegal independence referendum on October 1, 2017, the population in Catalonia is still deeply divided: on one side there are supporters of the separatists, on the other side those who are loyal to Spain.
Several separatist leaders are still in prison.
Illa has already achieved one thing: opponents and supporters of independence are now mainly attacking him.
The separatist parties see themselves so threatened by his rise that they have written out of cooperation with him.
Even if Illa got the most votes, it could be difficult for him to get a majority in parliament.
But if he only supported a new regional government with his party, he could calm the Catalonia conflict.
In the interview, Illa talks about his plans for the divided Catalan society - and his own identity.
To person
Salvador Illa
, born in 1966, began his political career in his Catalan hometown of La Roca del Vallès, where he became mayor in 1995.
Illa is a studied philosopher, later he did a business master.
He helped Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez win the votes of the Catalan Left Republicans.
At the end of January the socialist resigned as health minister.
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Illa, until a few weeks ago you, as the Spanish Minister of Health, were responsible for containing the pandemic.
You hardly succeeded.
More than 60,000 people have died of or with Corona in Spain, and the country is going through a terrible third wave.
Even so, right before the election in Catalonia, you are the most popular candidate.
How could that happen?
Salvador Illa:
Of course we made mistakes.
But that happened to everyone, including those responsible in Germany, whose citizens are now being hit hard.
As Minister of Health, I have always tried to act according to scientific criteria and to cooperate with the autonomous regions of Spain.
You don't make politics with the pandemic.
I can imagine that voters will appreciate that.
SPIEGEL:
In Catalonia in recent years you had to be radical to win an election: either radical for or radical against independence.
You don't seem very radical.
Illa:
I am radically moderate!
In the past decade it has become fashionable to distance oneself from political opponents, to polarize as much as possible, to bind a group of voters closely to oneself.
Donald Trump was perhaps the culmination of this development.
The pursuit of independence divides the population, not even half of the Catalans are in favor.
In ten years of the Catalonia conflict, we have achieved nothing: the project has only damaged our economy, the reputation of our institutions.
Polarization is not the way to go and many Catalans are now realizing that.
We have to find each other again.
It's time to start a new chapter.
SPIEGEL:
Your program doesn't even include a referendum on independence.
A vote like the one that could soon take place again in Scotland would be a good way to clear up the question.
"I'm a Catalan, a Spaniard and a European."
Illa:
No.
The big difference is that UK laws allow a referendum under certain conditions.
In Spain, the constitution forbids such voting.
Incidentally, the problem has not been resolved in Scotland either.
The losers in the 2014 referendum simply want to vote again.
SPIEGEL:
Your own party once supported such a referendum.
Illa:
And then we noticed that the referendum should only be an excuse to declare independence without further negotiations.
My party reacted far too late and far too indecisively to the separatists' campaign.
But I am not entirely against voting.
SPIEGEL:
What does that mean?
Illa:
In surveys, a large majority is in favor of more self-government rights, for example in the distribution of taxpayers' money.
The Catalan parties could negotiate with each other and with the central government - and the citizens then ratify the expanded powers.
Such a referendum would not divide society.
Perhaps the Spanish constitution doesn't even have to be changed for this.
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Illa: "I quarreled with friends"
Photo: Emilio Morenatti / AP
SPIEGEL:
In Catalonia there are families and friends who hardly talk to each other anymore because they fell out over the question of independence.
How is it by you?
Illa:
It didn't happen in my family, but I argued with friends.
SPIEGEL:
Because you want to split off from Spain?
Illa:
Yes, they think that's the best for Catalonia.
I still talk to them, but the relationship with one or the other has cooled off a lot.
SPIEGEL:
You want Catalonia.
How exactly is that supposed to work in such a divided society?
Illa:
First of all, we have to respect each other and accept that we have different goals.
This is expressly provided for in our democracy.
We have to talk to one another, of course within the boundaries of the rule of law, our constitution.
And then we have to focus on what unites us, what is important to us all: How do we strengthen our health system?
How do we rebuild the economy?
What will happen to the industrial area in Tarragona?
What kind of tourism do we want in the future?
SPIEGEL:
And is that enough to save your relationship with your friends?
Illa:
I think so.
I have to listen to you and you to me.
You can't feel more Catalan than me just because you're striving for independence - and vice versa.
We are all real Catalans.
Do you know the film "Ocho apellidos vascos"?
(
"
Eight names for love
" in the German version, editor's note
)
SPIEGEL:
The comedy in which an Andalusian marries into an urban family?
Illa:
Exactly.
The title refers to the eight Basque surnames of the protagonist, her entire family comes from the region.
With that in mind, I have eight Catalan surnames.
I speak Catalan with my parents, with my daughter, with my brothers.
I pray in Catalan, I curse in Catalan.
But I speak Spanish with my wife because we met in this language.
When our footballers become world champions, I feel like a Spaniard.
I am Catalan, Spanish and European.
SPIEGEL:
And do you think that you can win in Catalonia with these qualities?
Illa:
It's the right moment for someone like me.
At least we cannot afford not to offer an alternative.
That's why I'm running.
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