Call for inquiry after European commission president’s English-language answer to MEP is extended in Spanish version to question legality of separation

The European commission chief, Jean-Claude Juncker, has been pitched into a row about Catalonian independence on the eve of a crucial vote in the Spanish region after a statement he issued in English was mistranslated and enhanced in the Spanish version to question the legality of separation.

Catalonia goes to the polls in an 'incredible moment for democracy' Read more

Juncker was asked whether the commission would recognise a unilateral declaration of independence, which Catalan separatists have threatened to issue if they secure a majority in elections on Sunday.

In a brief English answer, Juncker said it was “not for the commission to express a position” on constitutional arrangements in other countries.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest English version of Jean-Claude Juncker’s response to a Catalan MEP’s written question about Catalonian independence. Photograph: European commission

But in the Spanish version, his answer contained a much longer statement which questioned the legality of Catalonian independence.

The Spanish translation of the response. Photograph: European commission

Josep Suarez, head of the delegation of the government of Catalonia to the UK and Ireland told the Guardian that “the government of Catalonia is strongly concerned about the alleged manipulation and has decided to call on the European commission and the European parliament to swiftly launch an investigation to clarify this matter”.

The commission says it is looking into what happened. A spokesperson, Mina Andreeva, noted that “the answer to the question was given in English, and that is the authentic version because it is the English version to which the president agreed and which bears his signature”.

The row comes just days before Catalonia heads to the polls for a regional election that has been billed as a plebiscite on independence.

The pro-independence parties have said that they will declare independence within 18 months of the vote if they win a majority, while the Spanish government is adamant that such a move would be illegal and have resisted calls to allow the region to hold an independence referendum.



