Catalonia’s political parties are targeting the moderate center once dominated by CDC. Recent moves by major figures signal a renewed fight for this crucial electoral space, reshaping the region’s political landscape.
The political center in Catalonia, once the stronghold of the convergent vote before the upheaval of the ‘procés’, has become the focus of renewed competition among major parties. In recent months, several high-profile moves have highlighted the strategic importance of this moderate, Catalanist segment, which has remained largely unrepresented since the 2021 elections.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo has publicly declared the ‘procés’ era over, aiming to attract voters who were once pivotal for the Partido Popular’s national majorities three decades ago. Meanwhile, Carles Campuzano, a current ERC deputy and former CDC leader, has launched Esquerra Democràtica, a new party designed to open ERC’s appeal to the traditional base of Jordi Pujol’s supporters. The JNC has also organized a tribute to Jordi Pujol, underlining the symbolic weight of the former president in today’s political calculations.
Salvador Illa has not missed the opportunity to align himself with the Pujol legacy, whether by advocating for leniency in the trial of Pujol’s children or by using imagery tied to Catalan tradition, such as posters featuring sardanistas and flabiols, to welcome the Pope. These actions, though coming from different political directions, all target the same ideological space: the moderate, centrist Catalanism that once defined the convergent vote.
This ‘phantom space’—as it is now described—consists of voters who historically supported CDC and initially joined the civic movement of the ‘procés’ in response to what they saw as Spain’s failure to address Catalan demands. Over time, many of these voters distanced themselves as the movement lost control. By 2021, this group had largely withdrawn from electoral participation, leaving a vacuum that no party has yet managed to fill.
The competition for this segment is intensifying. Whoever succeeds in capturing this moderate center could gain a decisive advantage in Catalonia’s political arena, with potential implications for national politics as well. This explains the careful consensus and respect shown toward Jordi Pujol, who has become a revered figure, in contrast to other former leaders who remain more combative. Pujol’s vision of an open Catalonia continues to shape the boundaries of this contested space, while figures like Orriols remain outside its influence.
According to public records, the CDC (Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya) was the dominant force in Catalan politics for decades, shaping the region’s autonomy and identity. The ‘procés’—the push for Catalan independence—disrupted traditional party loyalties and led to a realignment of the electorate. Since then, the moderate center has been seen as a ‘black hole’ with the potential to attract support from across the spectrum. The outcome of this renewed battle for the center could determine not only the future of Catalonia’s government but also influence the balance of power in Madrid, especially as national parties seek to avoid losing ground in the region. The evolving strategies of Catalonia’s main parties reflect the high stakes involved in reclaiming this influential, yet currently unanchored, bloc of voters.
