Catalonia’s political landscape is shifting again: in Manresa, Junts has formed an unexpected alliance with a former far-right leader in a bid to retain power in the city. This move reflects mounting pressure on traditional parties, who are seeking new ways to maintain influence amid the rise of radical groups. For locals, such alliances could signal changes in policies on migration, security, and city governance.
With spring arriving in Catalonia and the parliament debating the budget, attention is turning to the 2027 municipal elections. In Manresa, Junts has signed an agreement with former Front Nacional leader Sergi Perramon, who had previously turned down offers from Aliança Catalana. The new alliance brings together eight city council members and aims to secure the support of PDECat, which holds two more seats. As El Pais notes, this move is seen as Junts’ attempt to curb the far right’s growing influence, with Manresa long viewed by radicals as a priority for expanding their presence.
Change of strategy
Unlike directly copying far-right rhetoric, the coalition in Manresa focuses on resident registration control, combating illegal home occupations, and boosting police numbers. Migration and security issues are becoming central, and Junts’ rhetoric is taking on qualities similar to its opponents, while retaining its own ideological tone. Within the party, there are both public and private debates about future political direction, particularly on migration policy.
One internal document, known as the ‘8 Million Plan,’ was discussed at the highest level and handed to Carles Puigdemont. The document proposes a new migration regulation model, where migrants’ rights depend directly on their integration and command of Catalan. Although the plan is ready, it hasn’t been published yet, but its ideas are already being discussed among mayors of cities facing demographic challenges.
Impact on the political landscape
Junts is trying to balance its traditional law-and-order approach inherited from Convergència with the need to respond to the far right’s rise. Manresa is serving as a testing ground: here, politicians are gauging whether voters are ready to support tougher measures in exchange for stability and security. With Catalan independence losing momentum and the population continuing to grow, parties are being forced to find new formulas to maintain influence.
In cities with fragmented representation and the emergence of new radical forces, even a single additional vote can determine the outcome of elections. As a result, parties not only adjust their rhetoric but are also open to unexpected alliances. According to El Pais, such experiments could become a model for other municipalities where traditional political schemes no longer work.
Context and consequences
In parallel with the events in Manresa, Catalonia continues to experience tense struggles over the budget. Issues of funding and internal party disagreements have already led to crises, as was the case with ERC and its leader, which was covered in detail in the article on the political deadlock over Catalonia’s budget. New alliances and changes in strategy may influence the balance of power not only in Manresa but across the autonomy.
In recent years, Catalonia has faced an influx of migrants and a growing debate on security. Municipal elections have become a platform for new political experiments, where parties are forced to respond to public demands and compete with radical movements. Similar alliances, like in Manresa, have previously appeared in other regions of Spain, where traditional parties sought unconventional solutions to retain control over cities. These processes reflect a broader trend towards changing the political landscape and seeking new forms of local governance.
