A Dawn of Change in Barcelona
April 14, 1931 marked a turning point in the political history of Catalonia. At the headquarters of Foment Republicà in Sants, a key group of Esquerra Republicana was meeting to await crucial news. The civil governor of Barcelona, José Márquez Caballero, reported that the municipal elections of April 12 had been favorable to the republican parties. Esquerra Republicana, led by Jaume Aiguader, had achieved a notable victory by obtaining 25 of the 50 available councilors.
The Triumphant Opposition to the League
Following Márquez’s announcement, the excitement in Foment Republicà intensified. Esquerra Republicana had not only won in Barcelona, but also in ten other judicial districts, including key cities such as Reus and Girona. In contrast, its rival, the Lliga Regionalista, had managed to win only in three towns, which showed a change in the Catalan political landscape.
The Duality of Leaders: Macià and Companys
Upon reaching the emblematic Plaça Sant Jaume, the differences between the leaders of Esquerra became evident. While Lluís Companys chose to raise the republican flag from the balcony of the Town Hall, Francesc Macià proclaimed the creation of the Catalan State from the Palau de la Diputació. This act, full of symbolism, reflected the internal tensions within the party.
A Party with Two Identities
Since its foundation, Esquerra Republicana had been a mosaic of ideologies. On the one hand, the centre-left pro-independence movement, represented by Macià’s Estat Català. On the other, the left-wing autonomist wing, linked to the workers’ movements. This ideological diversity generated a complex internal structure that, although it enriched the party, also sowed seeds of division.
Francesc Macià: The Legendary Leader
Macià, an exile who returned with an almost mythical aura, was instrumental in the resurgence of Catalan politics. His ability to mobilise support and build alliances allowed him to displace the Lliga Regionalista, which had dominated the political scene for decades. With a mix of audacity and strategy, he established a new narrative that resonated with the Catalan electorate.
The Legacy of Macià and his Tragic Departure
Macià’s political skill in restoring Catalan self-government in record time was an unprecedented achievement. However, his death in 1933 left a leadership vacuum that sparked internal struggles within Esquerra Republicana, putting the progress achieved at risk.
The Fight for Control and its Consequences
As the party fragmented, tensions between the different ideological currents intensified. The internal struggle culminated in decisions that led to critical events such as the October Events of 1934, which resulted in the suspension of self-government. The lack of unity and the marginalization of the independentists marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in Catalan politics.
Reflections on a Divided Legacy
The legacy of Esquerra Republicana and its history of internal struggles remain a reminder of the complexity of Catalan politics. As new challenges loom on the horizon, the story of Macià and Companys resonates as a warning about the need for unity and coherence in the quest for self-determination.