The Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) led by former Spanish health minister Salvador Illa, emerged as the leading party in the regional election. With 99% of votes counted, PSC secured 42 seats.
Also Read: Chad’s President Mahamat Deby Wins Election Against PM
Pro-independence parties faced setbacks in the election with support dropping to 42% from 49% in 2017. The hardline Together for Catalonia (JxCat) party led by Carles Puigdemont retained its status as a primary pro-independence force, securing 35 seats.
Nationalist parties overall lost support, dealing a blow to the independence movement and relinquishing control of the regional parliament.
While the Catalan Socialist Party celebrated their victory, forming a government won’t be straightforward, as they’ll likely need support from other parties like the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and the left-wing Comuns Sumar alliance.
The victory for the Catalan Socialist Party is seen as a vindication of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s policies, particularly the controversial amnesty law aimed at benefiting nationalists facing legal action for separatist activities.
The amnesty law, part of Sánchez’s strategy to foster peaceful coexistence in Catalonia has backlash from opponents on the right but has gained support from pro-independence parties crucial for Sánchez’s parliamentary majority.
Forming a government will require negotiations given the complex political landscape and the need for coalition-building.
The potential return of Carles Puigdemont, who campaigned from exile in France is another complexity to post-elections.
The conservative People’s Party (PP) made huge gains in the election positioning itself as the fourth-largest party in Catalonia. The self-styled centrists of Ciudadanos lost representation in the parliament.
Recent polls indicate a shift in public sentiment, with a rising share of Catalans expressing support for remaining within Spain. This shift is with disenchantment with pro-independence parties.
The Catalan Socialist Party victory and the potential formation of a government opposed to independence signify a turning point in Spanish-Catalan relations.
Also Read: Hong Kong Court Bans Protest Anthem “Glory to Hong Kong”
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s gamble with the amnesty law appears to have paid off reducing tensions and normalizing relations between the central government and Catalonia.
The closely scrutinized ballot count reveals a huge development, pro-independence factions, headed by Carles Puigdemont’s Together party, muster only 61 seats, falling short of the majority threshold of 68.
The Catalan Socialist Party led by former health minister Salvador Illa won 42 seats, a moment as they secure both the highest vote share and parliamentary seats.
Illa’s steady leadership resonate with voters indicating a shift away from the separatist agenda. The decline in support for independence now at 42%.
The outcome of negotiations with disparate factions including erstwhile separatist allies will shape Catalonia’s governance.
Puigdemont’s future hangs in the balance with his failure to secure a majority casting doubts on his political trajectory.
His avowal to step back from the fray in the absence of electoral success is an element of uncertainty to the separatist leadership. The surge in support for the center-right People’s Party, catapulting from a three seats to 15.
Illa’s stewardship during the pandemic gains acclaim, bolstering the Catalan Socialist Party’s credibility and influencing voter preferences in favor of stability and competent crisis management.
The Catalan Socialist Party government’s conciliatory measures aimed at defusing tensions in Catalonia including pardons for incarcerated separatist figures.
The Catalan Socialist Party victory augurs well for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his party fortifying their position ahead of European Parliament elections, standing both domestically and across the European Union.
Also Read: UK Military Personal Data Hacked in MoD Breach
