Javier Lambán, former president of Aragon, led a dialogue on March 27 at the Círculo Ecuestre alongside Iñaki Ellakuría, El Mundo's representative in Catalonia.
Following the welcome address by José Mª Cardellach, member of the Círculo Ecuestre's Executive Committee, Lambán began the event by recalling his time in Barcelona, where he lived during his youth and developed an emotional connection with the city and its culture: "I have said many times that I am anti-independence, deeply anti-independence, because I love Catalonia very much. And I have loved it since before I lived here", he recalled.
Regarding the ties between Aragon and Catalonia, Lambán defended that, during his term as head of the Aragonese government, he aimed to rebuild the bridges that the territorial crisis had damaged: "I was determined to gradually heal the fracture that was occurring. We promoted the teaching of Catalan in the eastern part of Aragon to the people and families who speak it", he said.
One of his most symbolic initiatives was the organization of an exhibition on the historical ties between the two communities: "I had the idea of creating an exhibition that would showcase all the economic, political, cultural, and family ties that have existed for centuries between Aragon and Catalonia", he recounted. However, he recalled a disappointing aspect: "We had invited Puigdemont to the inauguration, and the next day, he jumped in a car and drove off to Brussels. We never heard from him again".
During his participation in the Círculo Ecuestre, Lambán also offered compelling figures to illustrate the economic interdependence: "Catalonia is Aragon's main client, and Aragon is Catalonia's third-largest client, just behind France and Valencia. Trade flow totals €18 billion. Aragon exports €7.6 billion to Catalonia, and Catalonia exports €10.6 billion to Aragon."
In a firm tone, he rejected the political use of the economic boycott: “Faced with temptations to attract Catalan investment during the political crisis, I always acted with respect. Because I have always maintained that the better things go for Catalonia, the better things will go for Aragon”.
The interview also addressed the national political situation. Lambán accused the current PSOE of having lost its ideological direction: “The PSOE has never had a strategy with the independence movement. It has made decisions as circumstances dictated. The amnesty was not part of the electoral platform. It was imposed to survive in La Moncloa”. He also expressed concern about the territorial model, which, in his opinion, is being implemented without consensus: “A de facto constitutional mutation is taking place, without express reform, violating the principle of equality between communities”, he warned. Lambán was also categorical regarding the fiscal agreement between the central government and the Republican Left: “This pact, which includes references to fiscal sovereignty, is absolutely intolerable”.
The former Aragonese president also lamented the PSOE's shift toward populist positions: "Classical socialism has been contaminated by the populisms that are sweeping the world", he stated, before emphasizing that many socialist militants share his vision but are silenced by internal discipline: "Many of my colleagues in the PSOE think the same as me, but they remain silent for fear of being crushed. I haven't changed; I still adhere to the ideas of classical socialism". "Classical socialism has been contaminated by populisms; it has become increasingly caudillo-like. It has lost its courage", he added.
Furthermore, he asserted his role as a regional leader with his own voice: "I was president of Aragon, not Pedro Sánchez's delegate. The Socialist Party of Aragon should have been the voice of Aragon in Spain. But now it is Sánchez's spokesperson in Aragon".
In the final part of his speech, Lambán addressed the lack of a general state budget as a "worrying democratic anomaly" and harshly criticized his own party's attitude: "The lack of a budget is still an anomaly, unfortunately very common in Spain and in many autonomous communities, but that in no way excuses the fact that at this moment my party, the Socialist Party, is not presenting a budget for approval or rejection. I'm not saying it's unconstitutional, but it is a constitutional obligation to at least try".
Regarding defense spending and the new geopolitical landscape, the former Aragonese president defended the need for Spain and Europe to make a qualitative and quantitative leap: “Europe must establish a defense policy, an army, and rearm. That costs a lot of money, but there will be no choice but to move in that direction. The shift must be discussed in Parliament and must be done with great educational support. And, of course, it must be agreed upon with the Popular Party”, he argued.
In this regard, Lambán warned that the deadlock between the two major parties prevents forward-looking progress: “Right now, the PSOE is reluctant to make a pact with the PP, and the PP is equally reluctant to make a pact with the PSOE. These are chicken-eating policies, completely lacking in forward-looking thinking. And Spain does not deserve it”.
Finally, he referred to the controversial migration pact with Junts (Junts), which affects the distribution of migrant minors (menas) between autonomous communities. Lambán considered it a “deeply irresponsible” pact: “Spain has a serious problem with migrant minors. But what grates on all regions, and especially Aragon, is that the government finds the solution by reaching an agreement with a xenophobic and pro-independence party like Junts. What Junts wants is precisely to get rid of immigrants and assume immigration and border responsibilities”.
To conclude his presentation, the former president of Aragon argued that immigration must be addressed with a vision of the State: “We must seek balanced measures, balanced measures, and that requires a broad State pact. What has happened with this agreement with Junts has provoked profound indignation in Aragon”.