Sánchez reelected, amnesty agreed, record drought – a look back on 2023

The last twelve months have seen big changes in the political landscape. 

Although both Catalonia and Spain end 2023 with the same leaders and similar governments that began the year, behind the scenes there have been significant shifts, not least in the agreed amnesty for the independence movement, a condition of Pedro Sánchez's reelection as Spanish prime minister. 

The physical landscape has changed too – drier than ever, as the ongoing drought entered its fourth year and officially became Catalonia's worst drought on record. 

In the courts, pop superstar Shakira avoided prison by settling in her tax fraud case, including paying a fine of more than €7.3m, while former FC Barcelona player Dani Alves spent most of the year in preventive detention after being arrested in January for alleged sexual assault in a Barcelona club.

And the post-pandemic return to normality was sealed with the return of a full season of major concerts from the world's biggest artists.

Pragmatic Pedro persists 

The conservative People's Party win the most seats in the snap Spanish general election on July 23 but fall short of a majority, even with support from far-right Vox.  

It is Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez who looks best placed to be reelected PM for another term, but he needs the support of several smaller parties, including two Catalan pro-independence parties, Esquerra Republicana (ERC) and Junts, who have seven seats each in the 350-member chamber. 

After months of negotiations, the Socialists reach agreements with ERC and Junts in early November. 

Sánchez is sworn in as Spanish PM for another four-year term on November 16, heading up a Socialist-Sumar coalition government. The Socialist candidate is reelected thanks to the votes of left-wing, regional and pro-independence parties.   

Catalan pro-independence parties' demands include the transfer of control of the Rodalies commuter rail network to Catalonia, the resumption of roundtable talks between the Catalan and Spanish executives, writing off debt of €15 billion, and, most controversially, an amnesty for the pro-independence movement. 

Amnesty agreed 

The amnesty law is registered in the Spanish Congress on November 13 amid protests from the right and far right, including disturbances outside the Socialists' headquarters in Madrid. 

The bill paves the way for the return of exiled politicians, including former president Carles Puigdemont. 

Months before an amnesty seems a realistic prospect, one of the 2017 referendum leaders, Clara Ponsatí, makes a surprise return to Catalonia on March 28. The former minister is arrested and released on the same day after crossing the border from France.   

Barcelona plot twist 

In local elections on May 28, the Socialists win the most votes in Catalonia. Across Spain, however, the People's Party sweep to victory, striking deals with far-right Vox to govern in several Autonomous Communities. 

In an incredibly tight race in Barcelona, Junts' Xavier Trias tops the poll under the name Trias for Barcelona, just ahead of the Socialists' Jaume Collboni and the incumbent Ada Colau. 

In a last-minute plot twist, Trias is pipped for mayor on June 17, with Collboni elected instead. Barcelona en Comú on the left and the People's Party on the right derail the bid from a visibly angry Trias, who was previously mayor of the Catalan capital between 2011 and 2015. 

Speaker disqualified

Parliament speaker Laura Borràs is convicted of corruption on March 30. The Junts president avoids a prison term but is replaced in her post by Anna Erra, former mayor of Vic. 

Catalan used in Congress

Co-official languages including Catalan are allowed to be used for the first time in the Spanish Congress on September 19. However, Catalan is not made an official EU language, despite Spain holding the six-month presidency of Council of the European Union from July to December. 

The changes in Catalan's status are the result of pro-independence parties' demands in the post-electoral talks to elect a Congressional speaker. 

Catalan president Pere Aragonès meets with Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez in Barcelona on December 21. The two leaders announce five significant agreements, including transferring control of targeted basic income to Catalonia and reconvening the roundtable talks between the two executives in early 2024. 

Protests in wake of Israel-Hamas war

On October 21, 70,000 people attend a pro-Palestinian protest in Barcelona in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Catalan police step up security at large-scale events and sensitive sites in response to the conflict in the Middle East. 

Dani Alves accused, Shakira settles 

Brazilian footballer Dani Alves is arrested in January, accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman in a Barcelona nightclub. The ex-Barça player spends the year in preventive detention after being deemed a flight risk. His trial is set for February 5-7, 2024, with the woman's lawyers asking for a 12-year prison sentence. 

Colombian popstar Shakira avoids prison by settling in her tax fraud case, paying a fine of more than €7.3m on top of her €14.5 million tax bill. 

Record drought 

The water level in reservoirs in Catalonia's internal drainage basins fall to new lows, with Catalonia officially facing its worst drought since 1916, when data was first collected. 

The first restrictions for agricultural, industrial and recreational uses are introduced in February and progressively get stricter and affect more areas. 

'The Boss' is back 

Bruce Springsteen kicks off concert season in Barcelona with two concerts in April. 'The Boss' is joined on stage for a song by Michelle Obama and Kate Capshaw, Steven Spielberg's wife. 

Coldplay, Elton John, Harry Styles and Madonna are among the big names to play in the Catalan capital in 2023, as major concerts return in a big way, with many concerts rescheduled from during the pandemic. 

Towering achievements 

In film, 'Society of the Snow' from Catalan director JA Bayona closes the 80th Venice Film Festival. The survival thriller wins two European Film Awards and is nominated for four Oscars. 

In the world of human towers, the Castellers de Vilafranca build the first ever nine-tier human tower with nine people on each level, a 'nine of nine with lining.' 

Catalonia's reputation for fine dining is further enhanced as Disfrutar wins its third Michelin star at a ceremony in the Catalan capital on November 28. The Barcelona restaurant's latest success comes after it was named the world's second best in June.   

Another cultural highlight sees the Gabriel García Márquez Library in Barcelona named the world's best public library. 

Champions 

In sport, Barça Femení continue their dominance of women's club football, winning their second Champions League title and fourth consecutive league triumph. 

Spain win the women's World Cup on August 20, with Catalan Aitana Bonmatí named the tournament's best player. 

The victory celebrations are marred when player Jenni Hermoso receives an unwanted kiss from the head of the Spanish football federation head, Luis Rubiales. FIFA ban Rubiales from football-related activities for three years. 

Barça star Aitana Bonmatí caps off a stellar year with the Ballon d'Or award on October 30. In men's football, it's Girona – not Barcelona – who finish the year as Catalonia's top team.