The Socialists have emerged victorious in the election in the Mediterranean region, but an old acquaintance holds the key to the government not only in Barcelona but also in Madrid. For the first time in over ten years, independence supporters in Catalonia have lost their absolute majority in the regional parliament. Separatist parties only managed to secure 61 of the 135 parliamentary seats, falling short of the required 68 seats for an absolute majority.
Despite the Socialists’ efforts to ease the Catalan conflict with an amnesty law for separatists and focus on broader issues such as mass tourism, the housing shortage, and climate change in Catalonia, Puigdemont threatened to withdraw support from the government in Madrid if he is not satisfied with the regional government in Barcelona.
The independence supporters from the Junts party of exiled ex-regional president Carles Puigdemont held 35 seats, ahead of ERC party with 21 seats. The CUP and Aliança Catalana parties had 4 and 2 seats respectively. The Socialists, led by Salvador Illa, secured the highest number of votes with 42 seats. Illa focused his campaign on moving away from the independence process and addressing other important issues such as mass tourism, housing shortage, and climate change in Catalonia. With no clear majority in parliament, an alliance between Junts party and Socialists is needed to form a stable government. Otherwise new elections may be on horizon.
With no clear majority in parliament, an alliance between Junts party and Socialists is needed to form a stable government. Otherwise new elections may be on horizon.
