Opposition parties in Catalonia have filed at least five formal requests for members of the Govern to appear before the Parlament, demanding answers on health, education and transport as the political season begins. The latest request comes from Comuns, who want Health Minister Olga Pané to explain worsening specialist wait times in several major cities.
The average wait for a first specialist appointment climbed from 93 days in 2023 to nearly 120 days by June 2026. Delays are particularly acute in Sabadell, Terrassa and Granollers, which together account for three of the four largest increases across Catalonia. Comuns registered its request for Pané to appear on June 26, shortly after her return from a long medical leave, and called on her to address the causes of the delays before a parliamentary commission.
Education is also drawing criticism. The opposition found Education Minister Esther Niubó’s explanations of the PISA test fiasco unsatisfactory, and parties are now pressing for President Salvador Illa himself to appear before the chamber. An error in the design of the academic tests broke a 25-year data series, making it impossible to compare Catalonia’s results with those of other regions. Junts per Catalunya failed to force an extraordinary session with Illa over the summer, but 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 come under fire. Comuns have formally asked Òscar Playà, director of Rodalies, to explain the lack of planning for train services during the recent eclipse, which caused heavy passenger congestion, especially on return routes from Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre. Meanwhile, torrential rains in Tarragona and El Vendrell have prompted Junts per Catalunya, Partido Popular, Vox and Comuns to demand that Interior Minister Núria Parlon explain why no ES Alert was issued during the storms.
The first regular parliamentary session is scheduled for the first week of October, delaying the official control session with the Govern. Until then, the opposition is using the mechanisms available to keep pressure on the executive and keep unresolved issues at the forefront of the political agenda.
In Catalonia, parliamentary commissions give opposition parties a basic way to demand transparency and accountability from the government. The current wave of requests reflects growing public concern over delays in impressive services and the handling of critical incidents. As the new political term begins, the effectiveness of these appearances may shape public perceptions of the government’s response to pressing challenges in health, education and infrastructure.
