Multiple opposition parties in Catalonia are demanding urgent explanations from key government officials. Issues include rising healthcare wait times, education test failures, and transport planning. The political season starts with mounting pressure.
The start of the political season in Catalonia is marked by a surge of demands from opposition parties for government accountability. At least five formal requests for appearances by members of the Govern are now pending in the Parlament, targeting critical issues in health, education, and transport. The most recent move comes from Comuns, who have called for Health Minister Olga Pané to explain the worsening specialist wait times, a problem that has intensified in several major cities.
According to the latest data, the average wait for a first specialist appointment has jumped from 93 days in 2023 to nearly 120 days by June 2026. The situation is particularly acute in Sabadell, Terrassa, and Granollers, which together account for three of the four largest increases in delays across Catalonia. Comuns registered their request for Pané’s appearance on June 26, shortly after her return from a long medical leave, insisting she address the causes behind these delays in a parliamentary commission.
Education is also under fire. After the opposition found the explanations from Education Minister Esther Niubó unsatisfactory regarding the PISA test fiasco, they are now pushing for President Salvador Illa himself to appear before the chamber. The error in the design of the academic tests has broken a 25-year data series, making it impossible to compare Catalonia’s results with other regions. While Junts per Catalunya failed to force an extraordinary session with Illa during the summer, Esquerra and Comuns, along with Vox and the PP, continue to press for his appearance in September. By then, a reshuffling of responsibilities within the Education department is expected to be underway.
Transport and emergency management have also drawn criticism. Comuns have formally requested that Òscar Playà, director of Rodalies, explain the lack of planning for train services during the recent eclipse, which led to significant passenger congestion, especially on return routes from Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre. Meanwhile, the latest episode of torrential rains in Tarragona and El Vendrell has prompted Junts per Catalunya, Partido Popular, Vox, and Comuns to demand that Interior Minister Núria Parlon account for the decision not to issue an ES Alert during the storms.
The first regular parliamentary session is not scheduled until the first week of October, delaying the official control session with the Govern. Until then, the opposition is using every available mechanism to keep pressure on the executive and ensure that unresolved issues remain at the forefront of the political agenda.
In Catalonia, parliamentary commissions are a key tool for opposition parties to demand transparency and accountability from the government. The current wave of requests reflects growing public concern over delays in essential services and the management of critical incidents. As the new political term begins, the effectiveness of these appearances may shape the public’s perception of the government’s ability to respond to pressing challenges in health, education, and infrastructure.
