After gathering a group of electricians and giving them various instruments and materials, they said to them, "You have in front of you all the material you need to build a simple circuit. As soon as they started, they realized that the cable was too short and that there was not enough to be able to close the circuit. The majority surrendered, a deceit

They thought they had gotten into them. Only a few managed to complete the circuit, replacing the missing cable with the tip of the screwdriver. Why? From believing “it’s not possible,” they started to think “how can I do,” and then they began to look for something that was a driver among the tools.

As in life, in politics many things seem impossible until they are done. Witness to that referendum on 1 October in Catalonia. It was done above all the difficulties. The citizens did everything in their hands and in their bodies so that they could be voted on. Subsequently, after a few days of ups and downs, Catalan President Puigdemont joined this democratic mandate and proclaimed the Catalan Republic on 27 October.

It will soon be a year since then and both dates will be of particular political significance. I would venture to say, above all, those of 1 October. Aware of this, to distract the attention of Catalonia and with very little shame, Pedro Sánchez has organized together with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, an act to stage “the end of ETA”. We will have to see what is organised from Catalonia and how it is seen as an anniversary with meaning.

If there has been something that characterised the procés, I think it has been a collateral thought. To explain what is used the allegory of the electricians counted at first. The so-called lateral thinking is a way of thinking that has a lot to do with creativity. We are educated from an early age to think in a logical and rational way, and thus, in the face of a problem, solutions similar to all are resorted to, as planned and learned. However, collateral thinking consists in using unusual alternative pathways. What the Catalan vessel has brought to this port has been precisely that: to give creative solutions to the problems of the moment that are not expected.

They seemed to be convinced that they could leave any port and that, even for the Republic to flourish, they had different strategies and options in place. But that has not been the case. The repression of Spain has left the account at stand by. And what this means is that, to date, the material execution of the republic is impossible. Harmless for independence.

Furthermore, every effort is being made by the apparatus of the State and by the unionist parties to ensure that the people are involved in repression. The impunity of the ultra-right groups is nothing more than an attempt to circumvent violence. Echoing the question of these links is a sign of this. They move comfortably in this field. That is why it is essential that demands and efforts be directed towards the republic. That is the best way to work for prisoners and exiles. Otherwise, it will have been freed from the government of the republic.

I hope to recover the intensity in the autumn. It is clear that it is very difficult for political parties to emerge from the autonomist logic and from the confrontation of power between them, but the play of the primaries can move them. Continuing to believe that it is possible is the only way forward. There are people in Catalonia who believe. Now is your time. Because it takes a lot of skill to confront the Empire. Without neglecting the old ones, Catalonia needs new electricians.