Carles Puigdemont, former president of Catalonia, has revealed his campaign strategy for the upcoming Catalan elections, stating that Catalonia’s interests involve challenging the government whenever necessary. Puigdemont made these comments at a campaign event in Elna, France, where he emphasized his commitment to defying the government and not making friends in the process. He also highlighted the importance of what he calls “the management of no,” referring to the blockade imposed by Junts on the amnesty law. Puigdemont presented himself as the only candidate willing to stand up to the government.
Junts per Catalunya officially presented its candidate list for the Catalan elections on May 12 at a gathering in Elna. The party’s National Council, its highest decision-making body, unanimously approved the lists put together by Puigdemont, which include new independent profiles in an effort to attract wavering supporters of independence. Puigdemont expressed his gratitude to his supporters while also criticizing ERC President Pere Aragonès for his alleged incompetence in maintaining the independence majority in the Parliament. The polls currently favor the PSC party led by Salvador Illa, with Junts focusing its attacks on the Socialists rather than on ERC.
The campaign event in Elna attracted around 2,000 people to the small town, overwhelming its population of approximately 8,000 residents. Despite the crowd, Puigdemont’s number two candidate, technology entrepreneur Anna Navarro, was absent from the event and instead sent a video message from California, where she has lived for the past 32 years. Navarro acknowledged the risks of entering politics but expressed her commitment to the cause. The event featured a dramatic presentation of the candidates, with each one introduced like a sports figure entering the field, accompanied by a unique musical mix.
Puigdemont’s appearance at the event, surrounded by his loyal supporters, marked a highlight of the campaign kickoff. Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium in 2017 to avoid prosecution for his involvement in the illegal referendum on Catalan independence, plans to hold most of his campaign events in southern France to avoid the risk of arrest in Spain until the amnesty law is passed. He recently moved from Belgium to the Vallespir region of France, just a few kilometers from the Spanish border. The event concluded with Puigdemont’s speech to his supporters, closing with the song “No Surrender” by Bruce Springsteen.
The campaign strategy of Junts per Catalunya includes advocating for tax reduction, increased control over immigration, and more resources for policing. Puigdemont’s defiant stance against the government and his commitment to the cause of Catalan independence are central to the party’s messaging. As the election date approaches, Puigdemont’s strong leadership and willingness to challenge the status quo are shaping the narrative of the campaign, with a focus on energizing the independence movement and rallying support for Junts per Catalunya. The upcoming elections will be a critical moment for the future of Catalonia, with Puigdemont leading the charge for change and defiance.
