Pedro Sánchez needs the support of several pro-independence forces to secure majority support Photo: Javier Soriano/AFP
Prime Minister Spain has petitioned the European Union to make Catalan one of three new official languages as it struggles to hold on to power after inconclusive elections.
The request for official EU status for the three regional languages - Catalan, Basque and Galician — came on Thursday as Spain's new parliament opened and Pedro Sánchez needed the support of several pro-independence forces to garner majority support in the legislature.
Jose Manuel Albarez, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain, sent a letter on behalf of his government to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union stating that «Spanish languages other than Castilian which have official status in Spain» should be added to the 24 official languages of the EU.This step will further complicate and incur significant costs in EU procedures, as many documents and laws will need to be translated into each official language.
In addition, new translators are likely to be required in the European Parliament and its committees.< /p>
Spain currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, but it will have to convince the other 26 member states to support its plan.
Any addition to the block's list of official languages requires unanimous consent. However, such support may be unlikely given other capitals' fears of separatist movements in their countries and the cost.
«Great opportunity»
A spokesman told The Telegraph that the EU Council is looking into the request. from the Spanish government.
Carles Puigdemont, Catalan separatist leader and MEP in exile in Belgium and wanted by the Spanish Supreme Court for his part in the failed Catalan uprising in 2017, called the move a «great opportunity» for Mr. Sanchez to demonstrate the influence of Spain in Europe.
Seven deputies from Mr. Puigdemont's Junts hold the key to a new majority for Mr. Sanchez's left-wing coalition, where the progressive and right parties each have 171 seats in Spain's 350-seat parliament.
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Thursday Junts supported Francine Armengol, elected Speaker of the Congress by Mr. Sanchez, who belongs to the Prime Minister's Socialist Party.
His support was secured in exchange for new measures to promote Catalan, Basque and Galician are the official languages in Spanish parliament.
But Mr. Puigdemont warned that the move does not mean he will support Mr. Sanchez for a new term as prime minister in a vote expected sometime in September.
Junts said it wants to reach an agreement on a referendum on the independence of Catalonia and an amnesty for people like Mr. Puigdemont who still face punishment for the independence referendum held six years ago by the Spanish government. rejected as illegal.
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