Felipe is afraid

In yesterday's televised conversation yesterday between Felipe González and Artur Mas, there is one particularly surprising moment. It is when the former Spanish president warns—because I suppose that is his intention—that if we continue along this path, we will wake up Spanish nationalism.

The sentence definitely calls your attention. When has Spanish nationalism ever been asleep? Spanish nationalism has been the most active ideology in the Spanish State for a century, at the very least. And it wasn't asleep when he was president. Or do we need to remind him about everything that he and his government did to dilute the international impact of the Barcelona Olympic Games? Or perchance LOAPA wasn't Spanish nationalism? And that's if we don't go farther and remind him, him in particular, about the GAL. Maybe he doesn't see himself as a Spanish nationalist but that doesn't stop him from being one. It's undeniable that he is, that he has always been, and above all, that he continues to be. Which was made quite clear in the interview.

Now, what really calls your attention is the tone that he used, the insinuation. And what, Felipe? What would happen if they woke up? You think we should be afraid or what? And even worse: maybe you're trying to tell us that we should put fear above democracy and the desire for freedom? How low you have fallen, Isidoro…

It's quite a shame, but also significant, that the extent of the discourse of a man like Felipe González is the threat that the bogeyman's going to come. That is the only thing that a Democratic, progressive, federalizing, modern Spain can offer us when we're coming up on the 39 year anniversary of Franco's death? And how can it be that his fear puts limits on Spanish democracy four decades after the death of the dictator?

I don't know if Felipe González was aware of what he was saying, but frankly, I can't think of any better reason to leave. He can keep his fear.

director@vilaweb.cat

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Is that the only thing that a Democratic, progressive, federalizing, modern Spain can offer us when we're coming up on the 39 year anniversary of Franco's death?