At the start of the week, Spain’s political scene was once again thrust into the spotlight as Carles Puigdemont, leader of Junts per Catalunya, announced an end to cooperation with the socialists. The decision followed a meeting in Perpignan, where the party leadership unanimously backed a move into opposition. However, the final say rests with the grassroots members of Junts—their voices will be counted in an internal vote to be held in the coming days.
Over the past two years, Junts’ support for the Sánchez government has been more situational than stable. The Catalan party has repeatedly asserted its independence, blocking key initiatives such as budget proposals and healthcare reforms. Now the party is officially withdrawing from all budget negotiations, putting the government’s ability to function at risk.
Puigdemont cited a lack of trust and unfulfilled agreements from the socialists as the reason for the split. According to him, nearly two years of cooperation failed to yield significant results, with many issues important to Catalonia remaining unresolved. In particular, the Junts leader voiced frustration that data on financial flows had not been published and investment projects in the region were not implemented. At the same time, he emphasized that some of the party’s achievements, of which it is proud, were not included in official agreements.
Another crucial point was Puigdemont’s accusation that the Socialists ignored warnings of a potential split. According to him, the government underestimated its vulnerability and failed to heed the signals that Junts had been sending for nearly two years. As an example, he recalled the unsuccessful attempt to bring a vote of confidence in Sánchez, which was blocked at the insistence of an international mediator.
The Catalan factor and new challenges for Madrid
Junts’ move to the opposition could seriously complicate the government’s position. Without Catalan support, the Socialists lose the ability to pass the budget and implement key initiatives. Puigdemont made it clear that from now on, the government will be able to hold office only formally, but will be incapable of effectively governing the country.
At the same time, Junts’ influence in the Catalan parliament itself remains limited. The majority is formed by the Socialists, Esquerra Republicana, and leftist forces, preventing Puigdemont’s party from shaping decisions in the region. Nevertheless, the Junts leader is using the situation in Madrid to step up criticism of the Catalan government, accusing it of weakening the status of the Catalan language and failing to address transport and social issues.
In the coming days, it will become clear whether the party base will support the decision to break ties. But even now it’s obvious: Spain’s political landscape is shifting, and the country faces new challenges ahead.
