EU States Balk at Catalan Language Bid by Spain’s Sanchez
- Madrid sought quick accord but capitals want detailed analysis
- Pro-independence forces demanded plan for Sanchez reelection
Catalans celebrate Catalonia's National Day in Barcelona on Sept. 11.
Photographer: Angel Garcia/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Several European Union countries expressed reservations about a Spanish proposal to add Catalan to the list of the bloc’s official languages, potentially complicating Pedro Sanchez’s attempt to court domestic separatist parties in his bid to win another term as Spanish prime minister.
More than half of EU governments — including France, Germany and Sweden — have said that they need to examine the legal and political consequences of the proposal, the additional costs the move would incur and the administrative burden, according to people familiar with the discussions. The concerns were expressed in a closed-door meeting of EU ambassadors Friday.