Catalan Republic: Proclamation, Statute, and Autonomy

The Republic in Catalonia: Recovery of the Generalitat

After the triumph of the Republicans and the exile of King Alfonso XIII, Lluís Companys proclaimed the new republic from the council. Francesc Macià proclaimed the Catalan Republic within the Iberian Federation of Republics from the Provincial Council.

Macià considered that the verbal agreements of the Pact of San Sebastián, signed by regional and republican parties seeking to end the monarchy, authorized the Catalan federation with the other peoples of Spain.

The Pact of San Sebastián organized a provisional government that did not accept the proclamation of the Catalan Republic because they believed the Courts should choose the republican model. The government in Madrid negotiated with Macià. Macià relinquished the Catalan Republic, and a statute of autonomy was drafted for the Government.

The Interim Generalitat and the Statute

The federal model failed, and Catalonia wanted to self-regulate. ERC, USC, and PCR participated.

Dani Statute

Catalonia, an autonomous state within the Democratic Spanish State.

• Power emanates from the people and represents the Generalitat.
• The official language is Catalan. In relations with the Spanish State, Spanish will be used. Within Catalonia, Spanish will be used in righteousness and administration.
• Citizens are those currently residing in Catalonia, and those who gain neighborhood status by reason of residence.

The Núria Statute, a pre-draft, was urgently drawn. Macià carried the blueprint to Madrid. Anti-Catalanism and non-federalism led to its approval in 1932.

Statute of 1932

It embodies the principles of the Núria Statute.

• Catalonia is an autonomous region and not a federal state.
• Catalan is a co-official language.
• Power emanates from the will of the Spanish Courts, not the people.
• It refuses to grant Catalan citizenship, only Spanish citizenship.

Powers and Funding of Self-Government

The Generalitat received the transfer of justice, public works, services, and public order administration. It was authorized to create new schools.

In economics, there were fewer investment revenues.

Organization of Autonomous Power

The Statute of 1932 established the classical division of powers: legislative (Parliament), executive (President & Executive Council), and judicial (Appeal Court).

The tax appeal court was the most important judicial body in Catalonia, dealing with legal issues relating to the materials transferred by the state government. It had jurisdiction in civil and administrative matters but had no legal powers or penalties.