Interview with JERC Member of Madrid Parliament Laia Canigueral; Olive

National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin Barry McColgan was recently in the Catalan Countries to address the JERC National Congress. While there he took the opportunity to interview one of the youth movements up and coming elected activists.



Sitting in a packed room of young political activists, all politically aware and eager for debate at the 21st National Congress of Catalan Youth Movement JERC, I interview one of their elected activists. Laia Canigueral : Olive is 26 years old, from Girona, and elected as Member of the Madrid Parliament.

Laia has been a member of JERC since she was 18, getting involved in her local village in the Girona region of the Catalan Countries. Her motivation for joining in her local area was to change the inequality that was evident in her community and the lack of a local government response to tackling the poverty. One of her over riding priorities is establishing a proper socialist system and one which prioritises a strong welfare state.

Shortly after joining in her local area, Laia then got accepted into University in Barcelona and it was here that she got involved in the national structure of JERC, taking up International duties. It was also in University that she became more politically aware of struggles across the world.

In her 8 years of activism, Laia says that the most important and interesting things throughout this time has been representing the voice of Catalans in the Madrid Parliament. She says that it is an honour to represent JERC, and points to the fact that she is the first JERC activist to be elected to Madrid Parliament since the establishment of the 2nd Republic in 1933.

Laia believes strongly in the importance of JERC to the Catalan Struggle, saying that they are established across all regions recruiting, and active. She also pointed out that they are a progressive influence on the party and have a substantial power bloc within ERC which is reflective in some policies produced and the number of candidates which JERC are able to field. In her opinion the internal disputes with ERC are constructive and this radical edge is essential in keeping older activists on their toes and to avoid becoming institutionalised.

Laia was elected on the 1 November 2006, and it was a huge morale boost and she was very confident as a result, the position however, also brings with it a lot of responsibilities.

On the impact that she can make in the Madrid Parliament, Laia says that it can be good influence on changing the mindsets of the Spanish people, and popularising the demand for Catalan independence. She also points to the fact that she is young, female and independendist which will hopefully challenge the public’s perception on gender and the independence movement in the Catalan Countries.

On whether or not JERC’s involvement in electoral politics could effect their radical politics, Laia says that although it is difficult balancing street politics and electoralism, they compliment eachother. She says that both are important for National Construction and that you can’t have one without the other.

Laia’s inspiration is achieving the Independence of the Catalan Countries and implementing a system that creates a better life for its citizens.

She has an active interest in Ireland especially the current situation in the peace process, drawing similarities between both struggles. She also says that international solidarity is of vital importance as we can learn from eachother.



When I questioned Laia does she think she will live to see an Independent Catalan Countries, she replied, definitely, she looks forward to celebrating freedom on the streets with her children!