Catalonia’s Diada became a battleground for the future of independence. Traditional parties and left-wing groups united to counter Aliança Catalana’s growing influence. Tensions flared in Barcelona as the far right gained ground.
This year’s Diada in Barcelona was less about unity and more about a growing split over Catalonia’s future. The rise of Aliança Catalana, a far-right separatist party, pushed traditional independence groups and left-leaning parties to put aside old disputes and focus on a new rival. For the first time, the main worry wasn’t Madrid, but a party now leading the pro-independence polls.
Aliança Catalana’s momentum has unsettled Catalan politics. The party, led by Sílvia Orriols, holds just two seats in parliament, but recent polls suggest it could soon top the separatist bloc and even challenge the PSC. This shift has alarmed both established independence parties and non-separatist groups, as the far right’s focus on immigration and security starts to dominate the conversation. A Sigma Dos poll for El Mundo in early September 2026 projected Aliança Catalana could win 25–28 seats and 16.7% of the vote—a sharp jump from its current standing. The CEO barometer, cited by Spanish media, showed similar numbers, with the party in the 23–26 seat range.
Official turnout figures for the Diada varied widely: Barcelona police reported 45,000 participants in the capital, while organizers claimed up to 128,000 across Catalonia.
The main Diada demonstration in Barcelona drew 45,000 people, according to city police—a slight increase from last year, with more young people in the crowd. Still, the event was overshadowed by the challenge of reviving a traditional independence movement that has struggled since the failed 2017 referendum. Josep Vila, president of the Assemblea Nacional Catalana, called for a renewed push for independence ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 1-O vote in 2027, but much of the day’s energy shifted to confronting the far right. Several reports noted that the anniversary of the 1-O referendum is now seen as a chance for a new push, but the current mobilization is less about Spain and more about the far-right’s rise within Catalonia.
Political leaders responded with a message of inclusion. The slogan "we are one people" ran through speeches, directly challenging Aliança Catalana’s exclusionary stance. References to the historic Diada in Sant Boi de Llobregat, the first after Franco’s death, were used to call for integration and coexistence. Government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque and Parliament president Josep Rull both stressed that Catalonia’s identity is built on diversity and shared progress, not ethnicity or religion. President Salvador Illa, in his Diada address and official video, said "there is no place for hate" and reaffirmed the Generalitat’s commitment to coexistence, democracy, and solidarity, as reported by several Spanish outlets.
Still, political friction was clear. Jordi Turull of Junts accused President Illa of using polarization to distract from governing, while ERC’s Elisenda Alamany blamed the socialist government’s lack of "national ambition" for fueling reactionary sentiment. Despite these disputes, both Junts and ERC called for a broad, inclusive Catalan identity, with Oriol Junqueras describing Catalonia as a "spacious house" rather than a shrinking bunker.
The rise of Aliança Catalana has put significant pressure on traditional pro-independence parties like Junts and ERC, with recent polls showing the far-right party drawing support away from these established groups and shifting the balance within the separatist camp.
Tensions on the streets matched the political divide. Clashes broke out between Aliança Catalana supporters and antifascist groups at the Fossar de les Moreres, leading to police intervention and an assault on a photojournalist. Later, masked separatists set fire to containers near Arc del Triomf. Aliança Catalana’s presence at the main march, and Sílvia Orriols’ public appearances, signaled the party’s growing acceptance and its potential influence in future municipal elections.
Controversy grew when, during a Diada event in Ripoll, political scientist Ramon Cotarelo made inflammatory remarks about the Muslim community, prompting the local council to distance itself from his comments. These incidents highlighted the risk of ethnic and religious tensions entering mainstream Catalan politics.
Despite calls for unity, efforts to build a broad civic alliance against the far right have not gained momentum. Xavier Antich, president of Òmnium Cultural, proposed a "majority, radically democratic civic front" to defend rights and national sovereignty, but the idea drew little support.
This Diada exposed a Catalan political scene at a turning point. The traditional independence movement faces internal fatigue and new competition from a far-right party that has captured public attention with divisive themes. Established parties have responded by stressing unity and inclusion, but without concrete action, these words may not be enough to slow Aliança Catalana’s advance.
Catalonia’s independence movement has long focused on self-determination and resisting central government control. The rise of Aliança Catalana marks a shift, bringing new debates about identity, immigration, and security. As the region nears the tenth anniversary of the 1-O referendum, the question is no longer just about independence, but about what kind of society Catalonia wants to be. The answer will shape both local politics and the wider debate over nationalism and democracy in Spain.
