A Glimpse of the Past
Seven years ago, elections were held in Catalonia that marked a turning point in the political history of the region. At that time, in 2017, Catalan society was divided, with a considerable number of people mobilized in favor of independence and another part supporting the unionist bloc.
In that same period, significant changes were observed in Catalan culture and society. Television closed a children’s channel, premiered a successful series in Catalan and saw the emergence of a new application, TikTok, which was still unknown to many.
In addition, concerns were detected about the Spanishization of young Catalans on social networks, despite the fact that Catalan continued to be the language of regular use for a significant percentage of the population.
In demographic and economic terms, changes were evident in home ownership, rental prices and the fiscal deficit, which reflected an evolution in the living conditions of citizens.
Political Evolution
Over the course of seven years, a significant change has been observed in electoral participation and in the political tendencies of the population. A considerable portion of Catalans who previously supported independence chose not to participate in the elections, reflecting a change in political perception and participation.
Likewise, the effectiveness of certain political movements has been questioned and a loss of confidence in some leaders and parties has been evident, which has generated a distancing from politics on the part of young Catalans.
These changes have impacted the distribution of votes and the configuration of political blocs, with a decrease in support for certain unionist parties compared to previous elections.
Future perspectives
Given this panorama, the possibility arises that, in the future, the number of Catalans who want independence will continue to be significant, despite certain fluctuations in electoral participation. The importance of regaining the trust of those who have distanced themselves from independence politics in recent years is highlighted.
Furthermore, the need to address not only the political conflict with the Spanish state, but also the challenges derived from globalization, the precariousness of essential services, the linguistic threat and the economic situation is pointed out.
Ultimately, the importance of maintaining hope and seeking positive change is emphasized, recognizing the capacity for adaptation and resilience of Catalan society throughout its history.