Events surrounding Aliança Catalana have taken on special significance for the residents of Catalonia. Amid political upheaval and ongoing crises, the party that was expected to deliver new solutions has proved unable to respond swiftly to the challenges. This directly affects the region’s political balance and could shift the distribution of power in the upcoming elections. While expectations of the party ran high, the reality turned out to be far more complex.
Aliança Catalana’s internal resources have proved limited, with key decisions and all party activity concentrated in the hands of just five people. Party leader Silvia Orriols and her closest aides — Jordi Aragonès, Oriol Ges, Aurora Fornòs, and Jordi Coma — have been forced to cope with mounting pressure almost single-handedly. Such a structure cannot compete with larger, more experienced political forces, especially during acute crises like the recent transport disruptions and the debate over new migration initiatives.
Missed Opportunities
While other parties were actively engaged in discussions about the transport collapse and new legalization measures for migrants, Aliança Catalana remained on the sidelines. As a result, the party was largely absent from the key debates, and its stance on major issues went unnoticed. As Junts and other opposition groups expanded their influence, Aliança Catalana lost momentum, unable to offer a clear alternative or make a bold statement.
Party insiders insist there are no serious divisions, but it is clear: the lack of a unified strategy and a shortage of personnel are preventing it from taking a more prominent role in Catalonia’s political landscape. The decision not to participate in the Congress of Deputies elections was made quickly and without debate, sparking discontent among some supporters.
Focus on municipalities
The party recently held its first municipalist convention at the Comtal Theater in Ripoll, drawing over 200 registered participants. The main goal is to set up local committees and identify new candidates who can strengthen the party’s presence on the ground. Special emphasis is being placed on towns in inland Catalonia: Berga, Manresa, Vic, Olot, Girona, Figueres, and, of course, Ripoll. These are the places where Aliança Catalana expects to grow its support in the 2027 municipal elections.
The party is actively scouting for candidates among former Junts and ERC members, hoping to attract well-known and reputable politicians. But rivals are wary: Junts, anxious about losing ground, is doing its best to prevent its members from switching over to Aliança Catalana and even mocks its competitors’ recruitment troubles.
The battle for Barcelona
The question of the mayoral candidate for Barcelona remains open. If Aliança Catalana succeeds in getting its representative onto the city council, it could lead to significant changes in the governance of the Catalan capital. Negotiations are underway with the well-known publicist Lluís Carrasco, but no final decision has been made yet. The candidate’s name is expected to be announced on April 23, on Sant Jordi’s Day (Sant Jordi).
The party’s focus on the municipal campaign has led to it virtually disappearing from parliamentary debates and not participating in discussions on key regional issues—from transport problems to the new system of autonomy financing. Despite this, Aliança Catalana continues to rely on a network of volunteers and maintains strict financial oversight, allowing it to retain a certain degree of independence.
Context and implications
Unlike other parties, Aliança Catalana opts for tough rhetoric on migration issues, especially regarding Muslim communities. However, new initiatives to legalize migrants, mainly from Latin America, require a more nuanced approach, which the party is currently struggling with. This could lead to the loss of part of its electorate, who expect not only bold statements but also concrete solutions.
In recent weeks, attention to Aliança Catalana’s internal issues has intensified as other political forces use its crises to reinforce their own positions. In particular, Junts is actively shaping the agenda by demanding the transfer of powers on migration and transport infrastructure from Madrid, keeping themselves in the spotlight.
In this context, it is worth recalling how RUSSPAIN.COM previously provided an in-depth analysis of the consequences of the transport collapse in Catalonia and the calls for resignations that followed the Rodalies accident. The article noted that the political crisis surrounding the railway system became a catalyst for new protests and increased pressure on the authorities. Further details on how the situation developed and the opposition’s response can be found in the related publication on the topic of the transport crisis.
In recent years, Catalonia has repeatedly faced situations where new political forces rapidly gained popularity, only to encounter internal challenges and fail to meet voters’ expectations. Similar scenarios have already occurred with CUP and some independent movements, which, despite their high-profile statements, were unable to secure a foothold in parliament. Surges of interest in new parties often turn to disappointment if bold rhetoric is not followed by real change. This is a recurring feature of regional politics, where competition between parties remains extremely intense and voters respond quickly to any mistakes or setbacks.
