Jaume Giró, who served as Economy Minister in the Catalan government led by Pere Aragonès, has formally ended his membership in Junts per Catalunya. The party confirmed the decision, first reported by Nació, after a lengthy period of distance from its leadership and internal decision-making. Giró’s departure caps a conflict that began in October 2022, when Junts withdrew from the coalition government. Giró opposed the leadership’s push to leave, a position later endorsed by party members in an internal vote.
The rift became public in 2023, during Junts’ selection process for the Barcelona candidacy in Spain’s 23 July general election. On 2 June, El Nacional journalist Marta Lasalas reported that Giró had acknowledged Carles Puigdemont and Jordi Turull told him it was “inappropriate to hold primaries at that moment.” Giró ultimately did not enter the contest. Another El Nacional report by Vicenç Pagès said he remained in a period of reflection as Jordi Martí Galbis and Pilar Calvo were confirmed as candidates.
Giró entered politics after a prominent executive career at La Caixa, Repsol and Gas Natural, and represented Junts’ pragmatic wing. During the Aragonès government, he served as the party’s economy councillor. His departure removes a prominent voice for moderation and negotiation from Junts’ ranks, further marginalizing that internal current. The formal break in membership followed a period of growing distance from strategic discussions.
Throughout his time in Junts, Giró advocated a more flexible approach to alliances, arguing that the party should seek agreements to increase its influence in Catalan institutions. He was particularly vocal about considering deals with the PSC, a position at odds with the harder line Carles Puigdemont and Jordi Turull took on cooperation with the Socialists. The dispute reflected a broader strategic question for the party: whether to pursue influence through agreements or place greater emphasis on maintaining a strict independence stance.
In 2023, Giró stepped down from both the party’s executive committee and his seat in the Catalan Parliament, citing fundamental differences with Junts’ direction. In a public statement, he said the party’s orientation did not align with his vision of Catalonia’s political needs. His later resignation from the party formalizes a split that had been evident since the dispute over the Barcelona candidacy and the party’s strategic direction.
Junts per Catalunya emerged from the broader Catalan independence movement and has experienced repeated internal disputes over strategy and leadership. The debate over alliances, independence and the party’s role in Catalan institutions continues to shape its internal dynamics. Giró’s departure shows the challenge Junts faces in balancing ideological commitments with political pragmatism as Catalonia’s political field remains fragmented.
