Parliament; taking the first step

Catalonia's parliament today begins a new legislature which, taking into account the outcome of the elections, should focus its work in the being the last such chamber in the country's history as an autonomy. It is not an easy challenge because the complexity of creating a new state demands the need to progress steadily but at the same time, with juridical, legal and political prudence. One miscalculation, or strategic error, could see the well defined route of the pro-independence majority come adrift.

Beyond the already proven skill and ability of parliament and the government to lead the country, which will need to move ahead in a coordinated manner, what should be clear is that from a sovereignty perspective, parliament must be the centre stage in any dispute with the state. It is not the only player and occasionally during the process it may even cease to be the most important, but we must not forget that the parliament in the parc de la Ciutadella represents the will of the citizens of Catalonia. National sovereignty emanates from this chamber and it is in this room where the laws will be created to confirm the unquestionable legitimacy gained in the polls. This is above all what the parliamentarians should have clearly in mind as they take possession of their seats; an awareness that they are not supporting actors of a policy but are at the forefront of the action, whatever their ideology and their positioning with respect to the process. It would be a sorry affair if a representative elected by the people of Catalonia took up his or her seat believing he or she were merely a spokesperson of another group.