ICEC-Catalonia introduces “Constituïm” and “ANC” into the Belgian and Flemish Parliament.

10 Jan 2017

The spokesperson of ICEC Catalonia, **Anna Arqué**, is not new to the Flemish and Belgian Federal Parliaments, she has had years of good relations with the social movement **VVB** and the political party **N-VA** brought her to both Parliaments in many occasions. This year, the Catalan spokesperson invited Constituïm, a grassroot movement responsible for the current draft project of Catalan Constitution, and the **ANC**, the most popular social organisation in Catalonia and one of the main actors which agreed with ICEC ‘s demand on getting the **official referendum** back to the Catalan political agenda. Now announced for September 2017.

The spokesperson of ICEC Catalonia, **Anna Arqué**, is not new to the Flemish and Belgian Federal Parliaments, she has had years of good relations with the social movement **VVB** and the political party **N-VA** brought her to both Parliaments in many occasions. This year, the Catalan spokesperson invited Constituïm, a grassroot movement responsible for the current draft project of Catalan Constitution, and the **ANC**, the most popular social organisation in Catalonia and one of the main actors which agreed with ICEC ‘s demand on getting the **official referendum** back to the Catalan political agenda. Now announced for September 2017.

Peter De Roover, head of NVA group in Belgian Parliament, Peter Luykx, head of NVA commission of foregin affairs, Rita Bellens, commission of foregin relations, received the Catalan delegation. Anna Arqué, started the Catalan exposition by explaining the current Catalan political scenario and the reasons why a referendum is back to be Catalans main political objective. Jordi Domingo, spokesperson for Constituïm and Toni Fitó, member of the same group, hand over some copies of the drafted Catalan Constitution. Montse Daban, head of International relations of ANC explained the work currently undertaken by her organisation and the Catalan Gov to make Catalans abroad elegible to vote in the official Catalan referendum 2017. ​Peter Luykx, when reading his welcoming message in perfect Catalan mentioned their agreement that “in order to make an ommelette its necesary to break some eggs” which was very warmed received by the Catalan delegation who thanked the gesture of solidarity from Mr. Luykx in relation to the current and surrealistic legal battle of the Spanish State against Vic (catalan municipality) elected representative, Joan Coma.

External relations Vicepresident for the Flemish Government, Jan Van Esbroeck, organised a reception in the Flemish Parliament for the Catalan representatives who were welcomed by its Vicepresident, Wilfried Vandaele, Flemish Minister, Ben Weyts, senator, Karl Vanlouwe, and members of Flemish Parliament, Lieve Maes, Marc Hendrickx, Karim Van Overmeire, Paul Van Miert and Kris Van Dijck.

We had the chance to learn about Flemish Governmental competences and find very similar shortcomings for both Flemish and Catalans when it comes to converting any legislative capacity into full executive policies. The Vicepresident of the Flemish parliament joined guests for a discussion over lunch then concluded with a very positive Meeting. Constituïm also had the chance to meet with Steven Utsi to discuss further the deliberating process taken place in Catalonia and deep in the next steps planned to make the Constitution draft into a Catalan reality.