Polling closed in the election in Spain’s wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, where more than 5.7 million voters were eligible to vote. The ballot aimed to gauge the strength of Catalan separatist movements and the success of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s policies. Despite some issues, including disruptions in the commuter rail service due to the theft of copper cables, participation was around 45% by 6 p.m. local time. Separatists have held the regional government in Barcelona for over a decade, but recent polls suggest a slight decline in support for secession since the failed 2017 breakaway bid led by former regional president Carles Puigdemont.
Puigdemont, who is currently a fugitive from Spain’s laws and campaigning from southern France, is still participating in the election. He hopes to return to Spain after the election and expects to be cleared of any legal troubles through a contentious amnesty proposed by Sánchez’s government. The amnesty, along with other measures such as pardoning high-profile separatists, is part of Sánchez’s efforts to reduce tensions in Catalonia. The election’s outcome will be crucial for Sánchez and his Socialist party, as a lack of support from voters would be a blow to the leader of a minority coalition government in Madrid.
The election features a battle within the separatist camp between Puigdemont’s conservative Together party and Pere Aragonès’s Republican Left of Catalonia. An upstart far-right party called Catalan Alliance, which is pro-secession and critical of unauthorized immigration and the Spanish state, is also vying for parliamentary representation. With a total of nine parties running, no single party is expected to secure an absolute majority of 68 seats in the chamber, so deal-making will be crucial in forming a government. Despite the focus on independence, a recent survey by Catalonia’s public opinion office revealed that a record drought, public services, the economy, and climate change were the main concerns of Catalans.
Support for independence in Catalonia has decreased to 2012 levels, with 50% of Catalans against it and 42% in favor. This marks a shift from 2017 when Puigdemont’s failed secession attempt led to 49% in favor of independence and 43% against it. The election outcomes will have significant implications for both the region and Spanish politics, as it will shape the future trajectory of Catalonia and its relationship with the central government in Madrid. The results will not only determine the composition of the regional government in Barcelona but also impact the strategies and policies of political parties at both regional and national levels in Spain.
