Demokratska Konvergencija Katalonije

The Spanish Democratic Convergence of Catalonia, known in Catalan as Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya (CDC), was a center-right political party in Catalonia, Spain. Founded in 1974 during the transition to democracy in Spain, the party played a significant role in Catalan politics for several decades. It was instrumental in advocating for greater autonomy and self-governance for Catalonia within the Spanish state. The CDC was characterized by its liberal, pro-European stance, and its policies often focused on economic liberalism, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting…   Catalan culture and language.

The party's values were deeply rooted in Catalanism, a political movement that seeks to affirm and promote the cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Catalonia. This included a strong emphasis on the recognition of Catalonia as a distinct nation within Spain, with its own rights and a degree of self-determination. The CDC aimed to balance the promotion of Catalan identity with the integration into the European Union, seeing the EU as an opportunity to advance Catalonia's economic and cultural interests on a broader stage.

Over the years, the CDC's position on Catalan independence evolved. While initially advocating for greater autonomy within the framework of the Spanish state, the party gradually shifted towards a more explicit support for independence, especially in the context of the growing Catalan independence movement in the early 21st century. This shift reflected both changing political dynamics within Catalonia and the party's response to what it perceived as the central Spanish government's unwillingness to grant Catalonia further autonomy.

Economically, the CDC supported policies that encouraged innovation, competitiveness, and the development of a strong, diversified economy in Catalonia. It aimed to create a favorable business environment that would attract investment and promote growth, while also advocating for social policies that would ensure a fair distribution of wealth and opportunities.

However, the CDC's legacy is complex. In its later years, the party was marred by scandals involving allegations of corruption, which significantly impacted its reputation and support base. In 2016, the party was dissolved and reconstituted as the Catalan European Democratic Party (Partit Demòcrata Europeu Català, PDeCAT), marking the end of an era for the CDC but continuing its core mission of advocating for Catalan interests within a broader European context.