Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont was re-elected on Sunday as president of his party, Junts per Catalunya (Together for Catalonia), reaffirming his enduring influence over the Catalan independence movement.
Despite his self-imposed exile, Puigdemont continues to be a pivotal figure for Catalonia’s pro-independence supporters, urging a strategic shift from defensive tactics to a renewed offensive aimed at realising Catalonia’s sovereignty.
In a video address to Junts per Catalunya party members gathered at a congress in Calella, near Barcelona, Puigdemont signalled a change in tone, proclaiming, “It is time to play a new game. Let’s move from resistance to the offensive; an entire nation is waiting for us.”
Over 90% of party attendees supported Puigdemont’s leadership, reaffirming his position as the party’s guiding force. Puigdemont concluded his speech with a declaration, “Long live free Catalonia.”
🎥 President @KRLS Puigdemont: "Per poder ser una eina el màxim d’eficaç, el partit s’havia de preparar a nivell organitzatiu, a nivell de contingut polític i a nivell estratègic i prendre la decisió de mobilitzar-se de nou i sortir amb una proposta ambiciosa a proposar en el… pic.twitter.com/88ivpNuiPe
— Junts per Catalunya🎗 (@JuntsXCat) October 27, 2024
Continued Exile and Leadership
Puigdemont, who has lived outside Spain since 2017, is wanted by Spanish authorities on charges stemming from his role in Catalonia’s independence referendum and subsequent unilateral declaration of independence that same year.
Following the Spanish government’s crackdown, he fled to avoid prosecution and has since resided mainly in Belgium, where he worked as a Member of the European Parliament. His self-imposed exile continues as Spanish authorities maintain an arrest warrant for him on charges of sedition, though the charge was downgraded following recent legal reforms in Spain.
Earlier this year, Puigdemont briefly returned to Catalonia, reappearing in Barcelona in August before quickly retreating to his residence in Waterloo, Belgium. His fleeting return highlighted his continued significance within Catalan nationalist circles, even while remaining physically distant from the region.
Puigdemont’s return to party leadership marks a shift from his previous decision two years ago to step down as Junts president. At that time, he cited a need to focus on his legal battles and parliamentary responsibilities in the European Parliament. However, with renewed momentum within the independence movement and his party’s push for Catalan sovereignty, Puigdemont has returned to the forefront.
A Strategic Shift for Catalonia’s Independence Movement
The Junts per Catalunya leader’s call for a more proactive approach appears to signal a strategy shift within the independence movement.
The statement aligns with recent party moves and campaigns to reignite calls for Catalonia’s independence.
Since 2017, Junts has operated under a mixture of strategies, from negotiations with Spain to symbolic acts and declarations. However, this latest call from Puigdemont indicates that Junts may now consider more direct actions or new international strategies to advance its agenda.
In recent years, Junts has shared the Catalan political landscape with Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), another pro-independence party, albeit with diverging approaches. ERC has focused on negotiating with Madrid, opting for gradual steps towards greater autonomy within Spain. Junts, under Puigdemont, has often been more vocal and insistent on complete independence.
Puigdemont’s return as party president and his call to move “from resistance to the offensive” suggest Junts may be looking to consolidate its base and distinguish itself from ERC’s comparatively moderate stance. Whether this translates into practical actions or diplomatic outreach remains to be seen.
Electoral Standing and Regional Politics
While Junts per Catalunya remains a formidable presence in Catalonia, recent electoral results highlight both the party’s enduring popularity and the challenges it faces in expanding its influence.
In regional elections held in May, Junts placed second behind the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC), led by Salvador Illa, who opposes Catalonia’s independence. Illa’s victory marked the first time since 2010 that a non-separatist party had secured the majority in Barcelona, signalling a shift in political currents within Catalonia.
Despite this, Puigdemont and his supporters remain steadfast. The re-election of Puigdemont to the party’s leadership is an indicator of his enduring popularity among a core of pro-independence supporters. For many, he represents both a symbol of Catalonia’s resistance to Madrid and a potential catalyst for renewed efforts to break from Spain.