The PSC, an Unexpected Rise
In a surprising turn of events, the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC) has won a landslide victory in the elections to the Parliament of Catalonia held on May 12, 2024. For the first time in history, the PSC has surpassed all its rivals in both votes and seats, emerging as the most powerful party in the region.
Led by the charismatic Salvador Illa, the PSC has won 42 seats in Parliament, leaving behind Junts, the independence party led by Carles Puigdemont, which has won 35 seats. This result represents a significant victory for the PSC, which has managed to regain political leadership in Catalonia after several years of pro-independence dominance.
Junts: Maintaining the Flag of Independence
Despite its defeat in the elections, Junts has managed to retain its position as the main pro-independence party in Catalonia. With 35 seats, Junts has surpassed Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), the other major pro-independence party, which has suffered a sharp fall at the polls.
Carles Puigdemont’s leadership has been key to maintaining the unity of Junts, despite internal pressures and divisions within the independence movement. The party has promised to continue fighting for the independence of Catalonia and has ruled out any possibility of collaborating with the PSC.
ERC: An Unexpected Fall
The big surprise of the elections has been the sharp fall of ERC, which has lost more than half of its seats in Parliament. With only 20 seats, ERC has been surpassed by Junts and has been relegated to a secondary role in Catalan politics.
Pere Aragonès’ leadership has been questioned after this disappointing result. Critics within the party have accused Aragonès of failing to connect with voters and of failing to manage ERC’s internal divisions. The party’s future appears uncertain as it faces the need to reinvent itself and regain lost support.
The Resurgence of the PP and the Rise of Vox
The Popular Party (PP) has experienced a notable resurgence in these elections, winning 15 seats in Parliament. This result reflects the growing support for the party in Catalonia, which has been able to capitalize on discontent with the independence movement and the management of the pandemic by the Catalan government.
For its part, Vox has forcefully entered the Catalan Parliament, obtaining 11 seats. The far-right party has taken advantage of the climate of political polarization and has managed to attract voters dissatisfied with the current political system.
Other Parties: Sumar and the CUP Maintain Their Presence
Comuns Sumar, the left-wing coalition led by Jéssica Albiach, has managed to maintain its presence in Parliament with 6 seats. The party has stood out for its social discourse and its defense of workers’ rights.
The Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP), the far-left independence party, has also gained representation in Parliament with 4 seats. The CUP has maintained its radical stance in favor of independence and has rejected any negotiations with the Spanish government.
Catalan Alliance: A New Voice in Parliament
One of the novelties of these elections has been the entry into Parliament of Aliança Catalana, a regionalist party that has obtained 2 seats. The party, led by Sílvia Orriols, has defended Catalan identity and advocated for greater self-government for the region.
The presence of Aliança Catalana in Parliament reflects the growing diversity of the Catalan political landscape and the desire of some sectors of society to find alternatives to traditional parties.
The Future of Catalonia: A Fragmented Parliament
The result of the elections to the Parliament of Catalonia has given rise to a very fragmented parliament, with a total of seven parties represented. This fragmentation will make it difficult to form a stable government and could lead to a period of political instability in the region.
The PSC, as the party with the most votes, will have the responsibility of trying to form a government. However, it is not clear with which parties it will be able to reach agreements. Junts has ruled out any collaboration with the PSC, while ERC is in a weakened position and could be forced to accept concessions to remain in government.
The future of Catalonia is uncertain and will depend on the ability of political parties to overcome their differences and work together for the good of the region.
