Alejandro Fernández was greeted on Wednesday morning with the song “Alive and Kicking” by Simple Minds playing in the background. This came shortly after Alberto Núñez Feijóo confirmed the leader of the Catalan PP as the candidate for the Catalan elections. This designation was surrounded by controversy as it came two weeks after the call for the regional elections, due to the resistance of the party leader to repeat as the head of the list. Following this, Fernández went to the Grand Marina hotel in Barcelona to meet with Feijóo at the regional board meeting. A cloud of photographers awaited their greeting, but the team of the PP president avoided this image at all costs, emphasizing unity instead.
Feijóo, Fernández, the Euro MP Dolors Montserrat, and the deputy secretary of organization, Carmen Fúnez, all walked together to the terrace of the hotel. Feijóo patted Fernández on the back before facing the cameras, exclaiming “Bon dia” as they entered the room where party members were waiting. Words like “unity” and “rowing in the same boat” were repeated throughout the speeches, with Fernández acknowledging the delicate process of his appointment. Despite his initial criticism of the national PP leadership and his persistence in becoming the candidate, Fernández was presented by Feijóo as the one capable of uniting the constitutionalists in Catalonia.
According to a recent poll, the Popular Party could potentially increase their seats from three to thirteen, becoming the fourth force in the upcoming elections, following the exit of Ciudadanos from the political landscape. Fernández called for a new era in Catalonia, opposing the “process” being revived by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his alliances with nationalist forces. Feijóo then took the floor to publicly endorse Fernández and kick off the pre-campaign together. The leader of the party emphasized the lies of the government and their willingness, along with the PSC candidate Salvador Illa, to facilitate an independence referendum after granting amnesty.
Feijóo also addressed national issues, suggesting that Sánchez’s tenure in office depends on the support of the nationalist partners and could be jeopardized if Illa allows a Catalan government with ERC or Junts. The event in Barcelona aimed to showcase unity within the Catalan PP amidst internal divisions regarding the party leader’s nomination. After the meeting, Feijóo and Fernández shared a meal with other Catalan leaders to solidify their alliance. Feijóo emphasized the importance of team effort, stating that their candidate is part of the team and the team supports the candidate, aiming to strengthen their position in the upcoming elections.
The confirmation of Fernández as the candidate for the PP in Catalonia was a process marked by controversy and resistance, culminating in a public display of unity with Feijóo. The upcoming election will serve as a test for the party’s positioning within the region and their ability to gather support from constitutionalists against the pro-independence movements. Feijóo’s remarks also highlighted the connection between regional politics in Catalonia and the national political landscape, emphasizing the influence of alliances and support from various parties. The focus on unity within the party indicates a strategy to rally support and present a cohesive front in the upcoming elections.
