Mas gives explanations to house committee

The appearance before the parliamentary permanent committee yesterday by Generalitat president Artur Mas was originally at his request, to outline his reasons for calling early elections. Mas stated that due to the repeated denial of central government to undertake serious talks which would lead to Catalans being given their right to choose their own future, he felt there was no other option open to him but to call elections. The appearance took on a different significance following judicial searches carried out by the Guardia Civil of the president's party headquarters and foundation offices earlier in relation to alleged commissions paid the party by a builder. Opposition parties did not accept Mas' denial of any wrongdoing on the part of his party. ERC, closest to CDC given the coming elections, asked for clearer explanations, yet, at the same time, voiced agreement with Mas in his affirmations that the searches were politically motivated given the proximity
of the elections. Former coalition partners, UDC, were also willing to accept that without any real evidence, accusations cannot be made.