Definition of CDC (Catalonia Party)

In the context of politics Spanish acronym CDC refers to a political party of the autonomous community of Catalonia, Democratic Convergence of Catalonia.

A historical vision

CDC began its career as a party in 1974 during the Franco dictatorship and, therefore, in hiding. Its founder and leader for decades has been Jordi Pujol. Historically, this formation has been linked to another (Democratic Union of Catalonia), both forming a coalition known by its acronym CiU (Convèrgencia i Unió in Catalan).

Both CDC and CiU have been two parties that have represented the political Catalanism of ideology conservative and aspirations for greater self-government in this community. The role of CiU in Catalan and Spanish politics has been relevant in the history of the democracy Spanish, since it has governed the Catalan parliament in most legislatures and has supported the national parties (Partido Popular and Partido Socialist Spanish Worker) in its different stages of government.

In recent years, the CDC has separated from its traditional partner and ideologically it has gone from an autonomist approach to an independentist position. These changes have not been the only ones, since since 2015 the CDC has ceased to exist and has been re-founded into a new party (Democràcia i Llibertat). On the other hand, the new formation has created a greater alliance with other groups (known as Junts pel Sí, Juntos por el Sí en Spanish), which defends the temporary union with other pro-independence sectors in order to achieve the independence of Catalonia and form a new nation.

The history and political approaches of the CDC must be understood in the coordinates of Catalan politics

In its origins, the CDC aspired to greater self-government in Catalonia and defended political Catalanism (the recognition of the identity Catalan within Spain).

The CDC's trajectory in recent years has been clouded by irregularities in the financing of the party and by the alleged corruption related to its historical leader, Jordi Pujol

The CDC's pro-independence stance at present has generated political tension between the government autonomous of Catalonia and the government of Spain.

There is a moment of uncertainty and three different approaches coexist

1) the position of the CDC and its partners defends that Catalonia can decide on its future and is committed to the creation of an independent Catalan republic,

2) there are formations that are in favor of a referendum in Catalonia to decide independence, but at the same time At the same time they defend that there is no rupture between Catalonia and Spain (they want to vote but they would vote no to the independence) and

3) there are political parties that oppose the independence referendum because this proposal is contrary to the Constitution Spanish and because the hypothetical independence of Catalonia would mean the social division of Catalonia on two sides (those who consider themselves Spanish and Catalan versus those who just want to be Catalan).

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