The future of the Spanish region will be decided this month with the aim of resuming the functions of the regional legislator  

In the wake of new elections, which will be held on December 21st, different political parties face renewals after the government uncertainty experienced during the last months. The parties Ciudadanos, PSC (Catalan Socialist Party member of PSOE), and Popular Party (PP) return to the electoral contest strengthened by their opposition to the independence process and their support for the measures taken by the government of Mariano Rajoy.

On the other hand, the PDeCat, the Catalan Republican Left (ERC for its acronym in Catalan) and the Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) return to the electoral contest strengthened by the independence movement and their position as victims of a repressive central government. Although the elections on October 2nd took place in an irregular environment that did not give sufficient legitimacy to the process, they made it clear that a large part of the Catalans are in favor of greater autonomy and may be potential voters of these parties. Not in vain, the mobilizations in favor of independence have moved to Belgium during the last days.

Ciudadanos

According to surveys conducted by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS), the most favored party for these elections is Ciudadanos, which is expected to make a coalition with the PSC of Miquel Iceta. Directed by Inés Arrimadas – leader of the opposition during the government of Puigdemont -, members of Ciudadanos seek to win elections in Catalonia in order to “end the monothema of the process [in the hopes to] open a new stage of coexistence, economic stability, and democracy in Catalonia “, according to campaign proposals.

Puigdemont and the Catalan left parties

Since his arrival in Belgium, the former president of the Generalitat Carles Puigdemont has been reiterative in his speech as a victim of the Spanish system. While still waiting for a judicial process in both countries, his candidacy leading the lists of the movement Together for Catalonia (JuntsxCat) is being considered, all depending on if the Spanish government gives full guarantees that Puigdemont will not be taken IGNORE INTO custody after his return.  

Latin American Post | Laura Delgado

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