Manuel Valls: ‘I believe I will be the mayor of Barcelona’
Former French prime minister says it is not his but Barcelona’s future on the line
Former French prime minister says it is not his but Barcelona’s future on the line
Pro-independence Ernest Maragall is hoping to depose progressive rival Ada Colau, who has remained equivocal on the Catalan question
Catalan parties put forward leading politicians for Spanish and European elections
Joaquim Forn will head pro-independence ticket in May local election
Barcelona mayor calls former French prime minister’s attitude "histrionic and out of place"
Barcelona mayoral candidate refuses pact between Vox and Cs in Andalusia, but party leader deems it "irresponsible" to rule it out
Former French prime minister hoping to become mayor of the Catalan capital to run under the slogan 'Barcelona, European capital'
Mayoral candidate accuses Ada Colau of "degrading" Catalan capital
Candidacy of former French prime minister backed by unionist Ciutadans seeks more support but People's Party only one not to rule out alliance
Main party in Catalan Parliament presents support platform
French ex-PM rules out joining Ciutadans to run for mayor
Former French PM awarded by unionist Societat Civil Catalana group
France’s former PM “will think about” joining Ciutadans bid
France would have “done the same,” Manuel Valls says referring to Article 155
The 2014 European parliamentary elections are likely to become a milestone for Catalan people for three main reasons, which taken together send a strong message to the international community, the EU institutions and Member State governments, including that of Spain. Firstly, political parties and civil society organisations supporting self-determination have called citizens to vote in these elections as a way to push for a referendum on independence to take place on the 9th of November of this year. This may significantly increase turnout from the low 36.94% registered in 2009. Secondly, the two main self-determination parties are likely to be the most voted parties in Catalonia. In addition, the Left-Wing Independence Party (ERC) may go from 4th place in the 2009 poll to 1st place this time around. Thirdly, support for the two main parties behind the EU austerity measures that turned into drastic budget cuts in southern Europe – the People’s Party and the Socialist Party – is likely to plummet in Catalonia.