Spain’s ruling Socialist party emerged victorious in the regional elections in Catalonia, securing the most seats and dealing a significant blow to the region’s main separatist parties. Despite not achieving a majority, candidate Salvador Illa's party won 42 seats, marking the first time the Socialists have led a Catalan election in both votes and seats won.
The election outcome is seen as a success for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has worked to ease tensions in Catalonia despite opposition from right-leaning parties in Spain. The election results have been described as the worst for the forces of Catalan independence since 1982.
Illa now faces the challenge of forming a government, needing the support of 26 other lawmakers in the 135-seat chamber in Barcelona. While Illa has the backing of six deputies from the leftist Sumar group, he may need to secure support from other parties to gain a majority.
The pro-independence Republican Left of Catalonia, led by the sitting regional president Pere Aragonès, saw a decline in seats, making a potential deal with Illa uncertain. Aragonès announced his retirement from front-line politics and ruled out forming alliances with the Socialists or the right-leaning Junts party led by Carles Puigdemont.
Puigdemont, speaking from France, expressed his intention to form a government with other separatist groups, but the pro-independence parties fall short of a majority. The situation is further complicated by Sánchez's reliance on Junts and the Republican Left to support his government in Madrid.
The Socialists view the election results as a turning point in the secessionist movement, with Illa expressing his intention to lead a new era in Catalonia. The party aims to form a government with the support of the Republican Left and Sumar, rejecting Puigdemont's initiative.
Separatists have governed Catalonia since 2012, but recent polls indicate a decline in support for secession. Analysts suggest that Illa has a strong chance of forming a government, potentially through unexpected alliances with right-leaning parties or a coalition with Junts.
The newly elected lawmakers are set to take their seats on June 10, marking a pivotal moment in Catalonia's political landscape.
