The PSOE has achieved significant electoral success in Catalonia at the expense of losing power in the rest of Spain. Since signing agreements with Catalan independence parties after the 2019 general elections, the PSOE has seen a rise in support in Catalonia, while simultaneously experiencing a loss of power in other regions. The exact relationship between these two phenomena is unclear, but there seems to be a connection. The election of Salvador Illa as president is not seen as a guarantee to interrupt this trend, as the PP’s discourse of grievance over unique funding arrangements is difficult to dismantle.
The progress of the socialists in Catalonia is undeniable, with the PSC becoming the most voted party and almost doubling its seats in the 2021 regional elections. However, this rise in Catalonia has been accompanied by a loss of power in other regions of Spain. The PSOE has ceded the presidency in several autonomous communities since 2019, and has lost its position as the most voted party in seven regions. The situation is particularly delicate in Andalusia, where the PSOE has historically been successful by advancing simultaneously with Catalonia.
The agreements with ERC and Junts in Catalonia, including controversial measures such as pardons and amnesty, have created tension within the PSOE. Regional leaders have been torn between supporting the government’s discourse emphasizing the pacification of Catalonia and speaking out against perceived privileges. Some prominent critics within the PSOE, such as Javier Lambán in Aragon and Emiliano García-Page in Castilla-La Mancha, have expressed concerns about the impact of these agreements on other regions.
The recent agreement between the PSC and ERC in Catalonia, which removes the region from the common funding regime, has sparked criticism from the PP and other regional leaders. While the PSOE maintains that this agreement will lead to concord, dialogue, and a better future for Catalonia, there is concern among PSOE leaders about the potential electoral backlash in other regions. The PP has seized on this opportunity to portray the PSOE as favoring Catalonia at the expense of other regions, particularly Andalusia.
The PSOE faces a challenging scenario as it navigates the implications of the agreement in Catalonia and the potential backlash in other regions. The party will need to explain the benefits of unique funding arrangements while avoiding electoral losses outside of Catalonia. Experts suggest that a thorough and convincing explanation of the benefits of federalism and solidarity between regions could help the PSOE navigate this complex situation. However, the lack of a platform for nuanced debate and the profitability of divisive narratives for the right-wing pose challenges for the PSOE.
In conclusion, the PSOE’s recent success in Catalonia has come at a cost in terms of losing power in other regions of Spain. The party must carefully navigate the implications of the agreements in Catalonia, especially in light of the backlash from other regions and the opposition’s attempts to exploit grievances. By effectively communicating the benefits of unique funding arrangements and federalism, the PSOE may be able to mitigate electoral losses and maintain its position as a leading political force in Spain.
