A new stage of political struggle is brewing in Barcelona, one that could shift the balance of power both in the city and across Catalonia. The Junts per Catalunya party is ramping up preparations for the municipal elections, seeking a figure capable of uniting its ranks and attracting voters. Amid the absence of a clear leader and increasing internal divisions, the candidacy of entrepreneur Tatxo Benet has unexpectedly resurfaced, sparking lively debate among politicians and analysts.
According to El Pais, Junts leadership has once again approached Benet with the offer to head their ticket for the Barcelona elections. He previously received a similar proposal but declined. Now, following a personal meeting with Carles Puigdemont in Waterloo, Benet is considering taking on the challenge. His decision could prove pivotal for the party, which is aiming not only for victory but also for internal unity.
A candidate under pressure
Tatxo Benet, a native of Lleida, has lived in Barcelona for many years and is known as a successful entrepreneur. Last year, he ended his tenure at Mediapro, where he was a co-founder and served as president. His departure from the company coincided with control shifting to the Chinese investor SouthWind Media. Beyond business, Benet is actively involved in cultural and social initiatives and recently became president of the FemCat foundation, which brings together Catalan business leaders.
Despite not being a formal member of Junts, Benet supports Catalan independence and maintains close contact with Puigdemont. According to El Pais, the former head of the Generalitat is personally persuading Benet to take part in the elections. After initially rejecting the offer, the entrepreneur is now seriously considering it, adding intrigue to the question of who will become the party’s next leader in Barcelona.
Internal disagreements
The struggle for influence within Junts continues. After the party failed to secure the mayor’s post in 2023 despite winning the election, its leadership came into question. An unexpected alliance between PSC, Comuns, and PP led to Jaume Collboni becoming mayor, further fueling internal disputes over Xavier Trias’s successor. Trias himself backs his ally Jordi Martí Galbis, but his chances of gaining the Junts leadership’s support are slim.
Among the frontrunners is Josep Rius, who holds several key roles both in the party and the city administration. However, such concentration of power has sparked dissatisfaction among Junts ranks, especially among Barcelona deputies. Rius prefers not to comment on his prospects, while Martí Galbis says he is ready to make way for a stronger candidate, should one emerge.
The impact of new players
Junts faces increasing challenges as the far-right Aliança Catalana gains popularity. Although the party has yet to announce its candidate, it is already shaping electoral expectations. According to El Pais, Junts is losing ground amid uncertainty over its leader and internal competition. Party members worry that without a charismatic and recognizable candidate, the election results could fall short of forecasts.
At the same time, efforts continue to attract external specialists to key positions. The example of Anna Navarro, who was brought in as the number two on the previous campaign list, proved controversial: her role in parliament remained largely unnoticed, and the decision to rely on an outsider sparked dissatisfaction among longtime Junts members.
In recent years, Catalan parties have increasingly struggled to choose leaders for major cities. In 2023, a similar situation arose in Girona, where internal disagreements led to a protracted candidate selection process. Tarragona and Lleida also saw heated debates over the successors of incumbent mayors. These cases highlight that finding a balance between party discipline and the need for renewal remains one of the main challenges for Catalonia’s political forces.
