In the recent snap election held in Catalonia on Sunday, the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), led by Salvador Illa, emerged as the leading party, capturing 42 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament and gathering 28% of the vote. Despite their victory, the PSC fell short of the absolute majority required for governance, lacking the necessary 68 seats.
The elections, called after opposition parties rejected a budget proposal leading to a dissolution of the previous parliament by Pere Aragonès, saw a decline in support for separatist factions. The three major pro-independence parties—the ERC, Junts, and the Popular Unity Candidacy—secured a combined total of 59 seats, losing their previous parliamentary majority.
Salvador Illa, who has been a close ally of Spain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, campaigned on a platform to unify Catalonia and enhance public services, attributing his party's success to the government’s conciliatory approach to the Catalan independence issue, including a controversial amnesty proposal for figures like Carles Puigdemont.
Despite the defeat, Puigdemont, currently in France awaiting the amnesty law, announced intentions to attempt forming a separatist minority government. Conversely, the ERC leader, Pere Aragonès, announced his resignation from parliament, indicating a shift to the opposition.
With no party securing a straightforward majority, forthcoming negotiations are expected to involve complex coalition talks. One potential governing coalition could include the PSC, ERC, and the leftwing Comuns Sumar alliance, which would secure the necessary majority. Alternatively, Puigdemont’s potential coalition would still fall short of the majority, reflecting ongoing political fragmentation.
The political landscape in Catalonia remains complex, with national dynamics also influencing regional governance, as the national government continues to rely on support from Catalan parties. The results of the election signify a pivot in Catalan politics, leaning towards dialogue and reconciliation, though the formation of a stable government awaits resolution through intricate political maneuvering.