Junts per Catalunya's stance in the Spanish parliament has deepened government instability. The party's credibility is under pressure as it distances itself from its traditional base. Recent moves have sparked debate over its future relevance.
Junts per Catalunya, once a key supporter in the formation of Spain's PSOE-Sumar coalition government in 2023, has since become a central factor in the ongoing instability in Madrid. Despite backing Pedro Sánchez's investiture, Junts immediately signaled its refusal to join the coalition majority, setting the stage for a turbulent legislative period. This approach has left the government struggling to secure reliable parliamentary support, with Junts withholding approval even for the first-year budget.
The party's position as a swing vote in the Congress of Deputies has amplified the challenges facing the coalition. Without Junts' unpredictable stance, the persistent controversies and corruption debates—often highlighted by figures like Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Santiago Abascal—would likely have had less impact. While internal divisions within the left also contribute to the government's fragility, the decisive influence of Junts' seven deputies has been unmistakable.
Rather than facilitating stable governance, Junts has focused on reclaiming its status as the leading force of the Catalan right. The party has consistently complicated the coalition's efforts, even as the government took steps such as pardoning and later granting amnesty to leaders of the 2017 independence movement, including Junts president Carles Puigdemont. This same government has also worked to counter the anti-Catalan sentiment promoted by PP and Vox since the 2006 Statute of Autonomy reforms.
The paradox of Junts fueling instability that benefits PP and Vox, despite the coalition's concessions to Catalan interests, has not gone unnoticed. The party's strategy appears driven by a desire to recover lost ground among right-leaning Catalan voters, even if it means aligning with its traditional rivals. Recent polling consistently shows Junts losing support, raising concerns about its long-term relevance.
Junts' shift away from its moderate roots began under Puigdemont's leadership during the 2017 independence push. By adopting ERC's separatist agenda and partnering with the anti-system CUP, Junts abandoned its founding identity. The resulting legal crisis led to prison sentences and exile for several leaders, fracturing the party's base. Many former supporters have since turned to abstention, ERC, PP, Vox, or new political figures like Sílvia Orriols.
In response, Junts has intensified its rhetoric, repeatedly asserting its claim to represent Catalonia. However, the party's current trajectory contrasts sharply with the era of Jordi Pujol, when Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya was widely seen as the voice of Catalonia. Today, Junts faces the challenge of distinguishing itself in a fragmented political landscape.
The broader context of Spanish politics reflects similar tensions within other parties. For example, the Partido Popular has recently faced internal criticism over its opposition strategy, as detailed in a recent analysis of PP's leadership challenges. These dynamics underscore the volatility shaping Spain's current parliamentary environment.
Spain's political system often relies on regional parties to form stable governments, making the role of groups like Junts especially significant. The ongoing decline in Junts' credibility and support may influence future coalition negotiations and the balance of power in both Madrid and Catalonia. As the party navigates its identity crisis, the outcome will likely affect not only its own prospects but also the broader trajectory of Spanish governance.
