The Catalan Parliament is set to decide on penalties for Sílvia Orriols and Joan Garriga. Both deputies face disciplinary measures after being found in minor breach of conduct rules. The case highlights growing tensions in the chamber.
The governing board of the Catalan Parliament is moving forward with disciplinary proceedings against Sílvia Orriols of Aliança Catalana and Joan Garriga of Vox, following a decision by the Commission of the Statute of the Deputy. The commission determined that both deputies committed minor violations of the chamber’s code of conduct, specifically for disrespectful behavior towards fellow parliamentarians. The final decision on the type of sanction—ranging from a public reprimand to a fine of up to 1,200 euros—now rests with the Parliament’s executive body.
The commission’s review focused on two separate incidents. In March, Sílvia Orriols accused ERC deputy Najat Driouech of “normalizing misogyny and Islamic fundamentalism” due to her wearing a veil in the chamber. This comment came after Driouech criticized Orriols for sharing a social media post that targeted seasonal workers in Andalusia, alleging they were receiving subsidies from the Generalitat. Despite calls from the chamber’s president, Josep Rull, and the ERC group to retract her statement, Orriols refused, prompting ERC to file a formal complaint.
Joan Garriga faced scrutiny for two actions. In one case, during a May session, he made remarks suggesting that the socialists had engaged in illegal financing and spent money on “drugs and prostitutes.” In another episode, Garriga’s group displayed posters reading “Companys asesino” in their office windows during an October tribute, disrupting parliamentary activity. Both incidents led to formal complaints from other parliamentary groups, including ERC and CUP.
The commission, chaired by Antoni Castellà of Junts, clarified that these breaches were considered minor. However, it dismissed a separate complaint against Vox deputy Júlia Calvet, who had accused the Social Rights Minister, Mònica Martínez Bravo, of leading a major corruption case. The commission found this statement to be protected under freedom of expression, as it did not target any individual specifically.
Castellà also recommended that the Parliament consider revising its internal regulations to allow for more thorough analysis of similar cases in the future. This suggestion comes amid a noticeable rise in verbal clashes within the chamber. The commission is currently reviewing four additional cases, all involving Vox deputies, including recent comments by Alberto Tarradas directed at Najat Driouech, which implied possible deportation.
The Catalan Parliament’s code of conduct, particularly Article 7, requires deputies to maintain respectful behavior at all times, prohibiting discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, beliefs, ideology, origin, or social status. The current disciplinary process underscores the challenges faced by legislative bodies in balancing robust debate with respect and decorum. In recent years, Spanish regional parliaments have increasingly had to address incidents of verbal aggression and personal attacks, reflecting broader political polarization. The outcome of these proceedings may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, both in Catalonia and across Spain.
