A sharp change took place in the composition of the Ripoll (Girona) municipal council: two new PSC representatives were appointed after the previous socialist councilors left their posts due to a scandalous budget vote. The new council members are UGT union activists Paco Morillo and Jorge Iglesias. The decision was made by the Girona PSC leadership almost three weeks after the party found itself at the center of a conflict over support for a budget proposed by the far-right ‘Aliança Catalana.’
The reshuffle was prompted by a situation in which two former PSC councilors, Enric Pérez and Anna Belén Avilés, abstained from voting on the city council budget, allowing it to pass. After this, the Girona PSC leadership dissolved the local party group and used electoral legislation to completely renew the list of candidates and appoint new representatives directly.
A union-focused shift
Both new councilors are longtime UGT members. Paco Morillo is known as a union leader at Fibran Group and lives in Ripoll. Jorge Iglesias, originally from Uruguay, previously served as UGT organizational secretary in Girona. Although neither participated in the most recent municipal elections, PSC leadership emphasizes their recognition and authority among local residents. The party notes that both actively advocate for equality, inclusion, and support progressive values.
Internal party conflict
The internal crisis within the PSC escalated after it became known that votes were abstained on the budget proposed by Mayor Sílvia Orriols. The leadership of the Girona PSC sharply condemned the actions of Pérez and Avilés, despite their statements about having the support of the local group and following the line of the regional branch. In response, Orriols accused the socialist leadership of imposing their decisions on the municipality.
The situation in Ripoll has become yet another example of how the growing influence of far-right parties in Catalonia is leading to internal divisions among left-wing forces. In recent months, regional authorities have faced the need to respond quickly to political challenges, which has had an impact on other areas of governance. For instance, new emergency water supply measures were recently implemented in Catalonia— the region is investing in backup systems after massive outages in Barcelona.
Context and consequences
The appointment of Morillo and Iglesias aims to stabilize the council’s work and return PSC control over representation in Ripoll. The party emphasizes that the new deputies have been given a clear mandate to demonstrate commitment to socialist values and uphold democratic principles. At the same time, the situation has revealed the difficulties left-wing parties face amid the rise of far-right forces and the need to make rapid personnel decisions.
