Brussels, Nov 7 (EFE) .- A delegation from "Empresaris de Catalunya" (EC) expressed today its commitment "to a stable legal framework in the Spanish constitutional framework and the European Union (EU)" as opposed to "the economic consequences of nationalist populism."

Its president, Josep Bou, said in the European Parliament in Brussels that "it has been a mistake to be silent for so long. "

Bou also pointed out that with the ex-president of the autonomous community Artur Mas in front of the Generalitat" things would have changed ", but that" with Puigdemont it is impossible, he is totally fanatical. "

The press conference was also attended by EC Vice President, Carlos Ribadulla, and representatives in the European Parliament of PP, PSOE, Citizens and UPyD.

During his speech, Josep Bou said that he feels "Catalan from head to toe", but that in recent years "the language of totalitarianism has been adopted, according to which only nationalists are Catalans ", a situation that attributes" to the control of public and private media. "

The president of the association also defended the application of article 155 of the Constitution, which allows "to avoid the bleeding to which Catalonia was subjected, which was directed to a terrible economic situation".

"El 155 It is not a repressive article nor does it have anything to do with the arrests of the ex-counselors, which are a totally judicial issue, "said Bou, who understands that" only one intervention has been partially the autonomy, when it could have been done totally ".

After being asked about" a solution satisfactory for all in Catalonia ", the employer answered that it" happens for a victory of the constitutionalist forces -PP, PSOE or Citizens- in the elections of December 21. "

" If the 21-D win the independence will be the sun in Catalonia and the companies will leave not hundreds, but thousands, "said Bou, who argued that" a stable political situation would bring a stable economic situation. "

For his part, Carlos Rivadulla put the emphasis on "an exodus of companies without precedents in Catalonia, equivalent to 30% of the GDP of the region".

"In the second quarter of 2017 investment has fallen by 10.2% in Catalonia, while in the whole of Spain has increased by 2.8%, "said Rivadulla, who lamented that" the richest region of Spain is losing investment when the rest is winning. "

The businessman also warned about" a contraction in consumption, with a 30% drop in hotel, bar and restaurant reservations and a decrease in tourism 25%.

Rivadulla also denounced "an unprecedented increase in unemployment last October, with 15,000 more unemployed than the same month of the previous year."

"Populism, nationalism, selfishness and exclusion make a combination that we do not want to repeat and that we have already seen elsewhere, as in Quebec, which ceased to be the richest region of Canada after its independence process, "denounced Rivadulla.

In this regard, he also noted that" the government has no obligation to satisfy everyone "and that" if the pro-independence movement wants to change things have to follow the laws and procedures. "

" In any European country, a parliamentary majority of 70% or 80% would be needed for such profound changes, "he said. businessman.

EC's vice president also praised the attitude of the European Union, which "has positioned itself in favor of legality," and stressed that support "like the one offered by the The Spanish government "is" fundamental to saving the Catalans of nationalism. "

The deputy of Citizens Teresa Giménez was in charge of presenting the press conference, which clarified that "It was called for a month, before it was known that Puigdemont was in Brussels and long before the 200 independentist mayors announced their visit."

It is not the first Once EC representatives travel to Brussels, since on January 25 they had already called another press conference in the European Parliament "to denounce the consequences of a possible independence ", according to Josep Bou himself.