Catalan presidential investiture debate carried out as normal, with Puigdemont's whereabouts unknown

The Catalan presidential investiture debate got underway in the parliament on Thursday morning with Socialist candidate Salvador Illa addressing lawmakers. By the evening, the Socialist candidate was elected the 133rd president of Catalonia.

With the support of his own party, as well as pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and left-wing Comuns Sumar, he had sufficient votes secured to be named the new president of Catalonia. 

However, Thursday morning's session was marked by the return of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, who gave a speech in Barcelona to thousands of gathered supporters at 9 am, one hour before the presidential investiture debate got underway just a short while away. 

As he is still wanted by authorities over the organization of the 2017 independence referendum, it was widely expected that Puigdemont would be arrested if police could find him, but the Junts leader was not seen after leaving the stage following his speech. 

The surroundings of the Catalan parliament saw scenes of chaos and tension between the time Puigdemont left the stage, near Arc de Triomf, and when the investiture debate got underway. Thousands of pro-independence supporters accompanied various Junts politicians to the chamber, while there was also a counter-protest organized by the far-right, who called for Puigdemont's arrest. 

Such was the tension in the vicinity that a Catalan News journalist was hit with pepper spray by police while reporting on events. 

Health emergency services had to help around 22 people hit by pepper spray as police looked to stop demonstrators from entering the Ciutadella Park, where the parliament is located and the investiture was taking place. Mossos d'Esquadra do not normally use pepper spray during protests.

Puigdemont repeatedly vowed to attend the investiture debate in person, and it was expected that he may try to enter the Catalan parliament for the debate getting underway at 10 am. However, with the session already underway, the former president was not in attendance in the chamber. 

Speculation was widespread that the investiture debate would be called off should Puigdemont be arrested, especially as the parliament speaker, Josep Rull, is a close confidant of Carles Puigdemont from the same Junts party, but the session got underway as scheduled, without the former president located or detained by authorities.  

Two Catalan police officers were arrested during the course of the day for allegedly collaborating with Puigdemont and helping him escape the area and evade arrest. 

Socialist candidate Salvador Illa started the session by outlining his vision for the next term as president of Catalonia. He spoke for around 40 minutes before the parliament speaker called a one-hour recess, with politicians to return to the chamber at 11.45 local time. 

Illa's election as Catalan president represents a significant shift in the tide of Catalan politics, as he is the first president in favor of Spanish unity leading the regional administration since 2010. 

Additionally, Illa's candidacy was supported by pro-independence ERC, who had been in power either alone or in coalition with Junts for years. 

Pro-independence Junts asked the parliament to suspend the investiture debate until the "normality" was recovered. However, with a majority from the Socialists and ERC, the parliament bureau rejected Junts' request.

Junts had complained about the activation of 'Operació Gàbia' to control all access of Catalonia "with the aim to arrest Carles Puigdemont as if he were a terrorist when he is just a member of parliament." 

The Catalan police then summoned Junts general secretary Jordi Turull to testify over Puigdemont's whereabouts, prompting Junts to request the suspension of the investiture debate again. As a result, the parliament bureau called another recess to discuss their next steps. 

In the end, Junts' request was denied, and the investiture debate continued at around 4.45 pm, with the far-right Vox taking the floor.

Illa calls for "quick and without deceit" application of amnesty 

In his speech to lawmakers ahead of being elected Catalan president, Socialist leader Salvador Illa urged for the amnesty law for pro-independence figures to be applied "quickly and without deceit," in order to return "full normalization" to Catalonia.

Illa made this call right at the beginning of his inauguration speech in parliament, pledging to bring about "the full restoration of all civil rights of all citizens and all political parties."

In addition, the Socialist leader asked for "respect for the division of powers" and "for the legislative power."

The presidential candidate acknowledged that he leads a minority group in the chamber, as the Socialists have only 42 MPs with 68 needed for a majority.

As such, he reached out to other parties to ensure that the next term is a stable one, with preference to the parties that he has reached an investiture agreement with, Esquerra and the Comuns, to lead a "transformation" of Catalonia.

Illa outlined that he would be happy to cooperate with every party in the chamber, barring the two far-right groups, Vox and Aliança Catalana. 

He also recognized that he is taking over the reins with Catalonia in a better position today, thanks to outgoing president Pere Aragonès, than where it was when Aragonès took over.  

Junts awaits for Puigdemont to be in chamber

When taking the floor in the debate, as every party had the chance, Junts said they were awaiting Puigdemont to be in the chamber “and to be able to use his rights as an MP,” Albert Batet, the group’s spokesperson.

”The Catalan Mossos d’Esquadra police are looking for Puigdemont the same way Spanish National police and Guárdia Civil searched for ballot boxess before the 2017 independence referendum,” he added.

Batet also criticized the other major pro-independence party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, for making a deal with “the first defender of the Spanish Constitution Article 155,” during the 2017 independence push.

”In politics, people do not remember how you started, but how you leave,” he added addressing Esquerra Republicana MPs.

Junts and ERC used to share a cabinet, until October 2022, when Junts decided to leave the executive.

The spokesperson also told Illa not to seek Junts' support during the term for different policies. "We will oppose your term," Batet concluded.

ERC: yes to Illa, but with conditions and warnings

During his parliamentary speech, Esquerra Republicana’s Josep Maria Jové lamented that former president Carles Puigdemont was not in the parliament due to the "repression" suffered. In addition, he welcomed Puigdemont back to Catalonia: "We are very happy. Welcome home, president."

"We don't know what will happen and we are worried,” he said of Puigdemont’s immediate future. “Whatever happens, whenever we meet again, we are waiting to see you free in a free Catalonia," he added.

Esquerra warned Socialist candidate Salvador Illa that, while he is getting the votes to become president today, the independence push is not over. "With today's vote, nothing is closed." 

Jové admitted that an internal debate had opened inside his party over investing a pro-Spanish unity president, but he pointed to the election results, leaving little other choice, as there was no pro-independence majority achieved in the chamber. As such, Jové fired the incoming Socialist president a warning that his party’s votes are a "yes with conditions, a yes loaded with nos.” 

The pro-independence politician admitted that the election results were “painful” and that he "would have liked to be voting for the re-election of Aragonès" as Catalan president. 

“It’s up to you to convince us,” Jové said to Illa, “not with words but with actions.” 

Jové said that ERC still have memories of the Socialists approving article 155 of the Spanish constitution in late 2017, a move from the then People’s Party Spanish government during the peak of the independence crisis which dissolved Catalonia’s autonomy and institutions, sacking the government of Carles Puigdemont. 

“The vote today is an investiture vote, it does not guarantee the legislature.” 

People’s Party sees Illa following Pedro Sánchez’s steps

In his speech in parliament, Alejandro Fernández from the People’s Party blamed the Socialist Party and Pedro Sánchez for “resuscitating Carles Puigdemont politically” due to the amnesty law.

“You are responsible for the humiliating farce we are seeing,” he added.

Similar to the attributions that the People’s Party has referred to Pedro Sánchez with, Fernández told Illa that they both have an “immense desire for power” and “are willing to do whatever it takes to get and maintain that power.”

Fernández expressed disagreement with a lot of the measures that the Socialists agreed with Esquerra Republicana, as he is sure that the new efforts to boost the Catalan language “will not actually help anyone,” and their economic policies will “add useless taxes for citizens.”

In addition, the People’s Party leader told Salvador Illa that “in order to achieve the confederate state they want a change in the Spanish Constitution would be needed.” “It is surreal to believe you can achieve that with 68 seats in a parliament of an autonomous community,” he added.

“We see once again how the Socialists are assuming the pro-independence movement’s discourse, and you will regret it,” Fernández concluded.

Vox will sue 'anyone who helped Puigdemont escape'

The leader of the far-right party Vox in Catalonia, Ignacio Garriga, announced that they would file a lawsuit against "anyone who helped Puigdemont escape justice."

Garriga strongly criticized Puigdemont's return, calling it a "ridiculous spectacle" and a "humiliation for Catalans".

The escape of the Catalan pro-independence leader is an "attack on the rule of law," Garriga continued, adding that Puigdemont was part of a system of "privileged politicians with impunity."

The leader of Vox called Puigdemont a "coward" and accused him of "sinking Catalonia" by spreading "division and hatred."

Garriga's criticism went beyond Puigdemont. He also accused Illa of complicity with pro-independence parties.

He condemned the Socialists’ deal with Esquerra, warning it would “harm Catalonia’s future”.

"Spain does not rob us. You do. It is not the territories that pay taxes, but the citizens," he said, referring to Illa's promise to Esquerra that Catalonia would collect and manage 100% of its taxes.

The far-right leader then denounced the "crisis of insecurity" that Catalonia faces, linking crime to migration. He accused Illa of ignoring it, saying it was one of the main concerns of voters.

After his speech, the parliament speaker Josep Rull announced that the board would look into ways to prevent hate speech in parliament during this term.

In response to Garriga, Illa said he would "also govern for Vox voters", implementing policies to tackle the party’s “hate speech.”

Comuns focus on social policies

The leader of Comuns Sumar, Jéssica Albiach, said she was "proud" of the investiture agreement her party reached with the Socialists, and thanked the negotiating teams of the parties involved that reached the deal. 

Albiach was optimistic about the results of the investiture deal, but conscious of ensuring that they are complied with, warning that her party will act as "firm opposition" in ambits outside of the investiture deal, both "inside and outside" the institutions. 

The left-wing politician focused on housing and social policies during her speech, and remarked that the deal to name Salvador Illa president can represent "a before and an after" in access to housing, strengthening the welfare state, and in tackling the environmental crisis. 

Part of the investiture agreement with the Socialists includes provisions to construct 50,000 new social housing flats, a sanctioning regime for the law regulating the price of rents, and an agreement to modify the Spanish law on urban leases. Albiach also spoke about targeting tourist apartments for regulation. 

The Comuns head also stressed that the investiture deal includes stopping both the Hard Rock and the B-40 ring road projects. 

Albiach also had words of thanks for outgoing president Pere Aragonès, praising his willingness to engage in dialogue and seek solutions, and for launching a Ministry for Feminism. 

Far-left CUP does not believe in Socialists solving problems

Laia Estrada, the spokesperson of far-left pro-independence CUP, wanted to note the context in which this debate is taking place. A context of “genocide in Palestine, the rise of the far-right and the climate emergency” all of which “caused by a capitalist system,” she stated.

She also stated that social and civil rights are not being respected, as “Carles Puigdemont should be here, but the amnesty law does not ease society’s suffering as it was planned,” she stated. 

Far-left CUP believes that “the social reality right now is disastrous,” referring to the increasing price of rent and the escalation of evictions, as well as the suicides caused by eviction notices.

Estrada stated the party does not think the new Socialist government in Catalonia will solve these problems.

“It is the most right and unionist Catalan Socialist party ever,” she stated. 

She also believes that the measures proposed will not be applied as they are “always subject to the Spanish government at the moment and what the courts will say.”

“Only Catalonia’s freedom would ensure that application,” she concluded.

Far-right Aliança Catalana: Esquerra are 'slaves' of the Socialists

Sílvia Orriols, leader of Aliança Catalana, the far-right pro-independence party that entered the Catalan parliament for the first time in the May election, criticized Esquerra’s “immoral” agreement with the Socialists.

In her characteristically strong speech, the far-right leader took shots at all parties. She called Esquerra "slaves" of the Socialists and accused them of being "prisoners of their own lie."

"To make a Spanish nationalist president is legitimate, but it is also immoral. You can look for thousands of justifications, but in reality, there is only one: just as the slaves thought that slavery was normal and correct, you look at the chains and smile, thinking: 'They are long enough,'" she said. 

Orriols also criticized Junts and CUP, the other two pro-independence parties, for "abandoning" those who voted in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.

"We are the only party that waves a pro-independence flag that has never agreed with the Socialists," she said, warning that the Socialists "will again not keep their promises."

Illa responded saying that Orriols has the same rhetoric as Vox and that he would not "talk to someone who engages in hate speech," but that he would "still govern for its voters."