The Parliament has approved a partial reform of its regulations to expand the delegation of voting rights for deputies and to allow remote voting. This change will enable elected representatives living abroad, such as former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and ex-counselor Lluís Puig, to participate in votes.
The reform received support from various groups, including PSC-Units, Junts, ERC, Comuns, and CUP, while PP and Vox opposed it, and Aliança Catalana (AC) abstained. The Consell de Garanties Estatutàries (CGE) endorsed the proposed reforms, although it raised concerns about one specific phrase regarding vote delegation, which it deemed a violation of Article 23.2 of the Constitution.
During the amendment discussions, Junts stood alone with its proposal to eliminate Article 25.4 of the parliament’s regulations, which mandates the immediate suspension of deputies facing corruption-related legal proceedings. This rule was previously applied to Laura Borràs, the former president of the chamber, highlighting its significance.
The newly approved text will also allow CUP to form a parliamentary group by temporarily assigning a deputy from another party. This change avoids the necessity for them to share a mixed group with AC this legislative term.
The initiative aims to modify four articles in the regulations and add one new article, along with two transitional provisions. These changes are designed to enhance the conditions for vote delegation, establish rules for telematic voting, simplify the process for deputies to join different groups, and adjust the majority required for passing institutional declarations.
Regarding the delegation of voting rights, the existing conditions—maternity, paternity, hospitalization, serious illness, and prolonged incapacity—will now be broadened to include “exceptional situations duly justified according to the Mesa’s judgment.” This change aims to ensure the parliamentary foundation is not hindered while considering special circumstances.
Under this reform, deputies in such exceptional situations will also be allowed to request telematic voting. This provision applies to those with institutional commitments representing the Parliament or the Generalitat abroad that hinder their attendance at votes.
Furthermore, the new transitional regulation allows deputies under the circumstances outlined in the Amnistía Law of June 10, 2024, to delegate their votes, contingent on any ongoing procedures regarding its application.
As for the affiliation of deputies to groups, the reform stipulates that within the first five days of each session, a deputy can change their affiliation—even if groups are already established—subject to prior approval from the spokesperson of the group they wish to join. Additionally, if the partial reform is approved, there will be a ten-day grace period for making further changes to group affiliations and for forming new groups.
The proposal also changes the required majorities for passing institutional declarations in the Parliament. Instead of requiring unanimous consent, a favorable vote from the Chamber’s president and a qualified majority of two-thirds from the Board of Spokespersons will suffice.
During the debate, Ferran Pedret from PSC-Units defended the constitutionality of the reforms, addressing the opposition’s concerns. He emphasized that his party aligns with the social majority favoring progress in Catalonia. Jeannine Abella from Junts criticized the inability of elected deputies to participate in parliamentary decisions and advocated for the elimination of Article 25.4, citing political misuse of the regulation.
Marta Vilalta of ERC supported the CGE’s resolution, highlighting that similar changes exist in other legislative bodies. She endorsed the reform’s passage with a strong majority and rejected the idea of eliminating Article 25.4, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding corruption-related legal issues.
From the Comuns party, Susanna Segovia praised the overall reform, noting the ability to make institutional declarations without far-right interference. She criticized Junts’ efforts to eliminate Article 25.4.
Laure Vega from CUP celebrated the regulatory changes, arguing that unjust rules that violate rights must be amended.
Juan Fernández from PP announced plans to take the text to the Constitutional Court despite the CGE’s ruling, accusing the independence-supporting factions of pushing a reform tailored to their interests. Vox member Joan Garriga labeled the reform as sectarian and partisan.
Sílvia Orriols from AC defended the telematic voting changes that would enable Puigdemont and Puig to participate but expressed concerns about other modifications perceived as allowing “temporary defections for economic reasons.”
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