A new political conflict has ignited in Catalonia that could shift the balance of power in the region. After two PSC representatives in the municipality of Ripoll (Girona) supported the adoption of the budget prepared by the mayor from Aliança Catalana, the party leadership demanded their resignation. This decision came as an unexpected step, already sparking debate among politicians and experts and raising questions about further cooperation between parties in Catalonia’s municipalities.
According to El Pais, councillors Enric Pérez and Anna Belén Avilés, representing PSC in Ripoll’s city council, abstained during the budget vote, which allowed mayor Sílvia Orriols to pass the necessary measures. Their actions had not been coordinated with the regional PSC branch in Girona, drawing a sharp response from party leadership. After internal discussions, both councillors resigned, and the party officially accepted their decision.
Internal party conflict
The PSC leadership held an emergency meeting with members of the executive committee, organizational department, regional federation, and the councillors themselves. The meeting addressed the causes of the incident and its possible impact on the party’s image. PSC representatives emphasized they would not allow any form of cooperation with far-right forces, such as Aliança Catalana. According to spokesperson Lluïsa Moret, the party always stands for dialogue and opposes any form of intolerance or division in society.
One of the departing councilors, Enric Pérez, explained that they had sufficient grounds to vote against the budget. However, in their view, abstaining allowed them to avoid unnecessary political confrontation and delaying the approval of financial documents. Nevertheless, this move sparked criticism within the party and among the opposition, which saw it as an attempt to distance themselves from direct support for the mayor while not obstructing her initiatives.
Vote distribution and consequences
Ripoll City Council has 17 seats, but one Esquerra representative was absent during the vote. Junts, ERC, and CUP voted against the budget, seven votes in total. Aliança Catalana and Som-hi Ripoll voted in favor, also seven votes. The PSC’s abstention allowed the mayor to use her casting vote, which ensured the budget’s approval. This situation became a topic of discussion not only in Ripoll but across Catalonia, where coalition and party relations remain highly sensitive issues.
The opposition has previously tried to form an alternative majority, but Junts withdrew from the coalition at the last moment. This highlighted again how difficult it is to build stable alliances in the region’s municipalities. According to russpain.com, similar scenarios may repeat in other cities where the balance of power between parties is extremely fragile.
Reaction and context
As El Pais notes, PSC leadership is keen to distance itself from any accusations of collaborating with far-right groups. Party representatives emphasize that their priority is to uphold the principles of tolerance and prevent the rise of radical movements. At the same time, the situation in Ripoll has sparked new debates about the role of local politicians and their accountability to voters.
In recent years, Catalonia has repeatedly become the scene of sharp political conflicts linked to issues of independence, budget policy, and inter-party relations. For example, a recent ERC initiative was discussed that could potentially shift the balance of power in Spanish politics— experts at russpain.com analyzed the details of this process. Such developments demonstrate just how volatile the political situation in the region remains.
Reflecting on similar cases, it’s worth noting that in 2024, several municipalities in Catalonia have already faced conflicts over budget votes, with left-wing party representatives at times unexpectedly supporting or not opposing their rivals’ initiatives. Such decisions often led to internal crises and changes in local leadership. Other regions of Spain have also seen instances where party discipline was set aside for tactical reasons, prompting heated public and media debates. These examples highlight that coalition building and political responsibility remain among the most pressing issues in contemporary Spanish politics.
