Barcelona Mayor Calls for Left-Wing Pact Amid Minority Government Failures

In the midst of the Catalan Parliament election campaign, Barcelona's Mayor Ada Colau has called for a left-wing pact, citing the failure of minority governments by ERC (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya) and PSC (Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya). This election, taking place on May 12, is considered the strangest in Catalonia's history, with a unique blend of Spanish and Catalan issues.

Why this matters: The outcome of the election will have significant implications for the future direction of Catalonia and its relationship with the Spanish state. A left-wing pact could lead to a shift in power dynamics and potentially address long-standing issues such as infrastructure, financing, and social policies.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has significantly altered the election campaign discourse, but his efforts have not impacted the three crucial aspects of the election: which party wins, possible government alliances, and parliamentary majorities between unionist and independence blocs and left-wing parties. Despite his prominent presence in the campaign, Sánchez is not a candidate in the election.

Sánchez has failed to address pressing Catalan concerns, such as the malfunctioning Rodalies suburban trains, reform of autonomous community funding, Catalonia's fiscal deficit, and the chronic deficit in infrastructure investment compliance. The review of the autonomous financing system, which expired ten years ago, has been neglected, affecting the Generalitat of Catalonia's coffers and resulting in fewer public services, including hospitals, schools, and libraries.

The Spanish state's historical debt to Catalonia, calculated to be approximately 456 billion euros (equivalent to a Spanish budget), has been overlooked in the differences, model, left. Mayor Ada Colau's call for a left-wing pact comes as a response to the failure of previous minority governments and the need for a unified approach to address these critical issues.

The Comuns, an alternative left political space centered on Catalunya en Comú (Catalonia in Common), faces a dilemma on how to approach the Catalan Socialists (PSC) in the upcoming election campaign. While the Comuns and PSC have had a comfortable relationship in Madrid, with shared priorities and a political direction that does not cause havoc, the opposite is true in Catalonia.

The Comuns' candidate, Jéssica Albiach, has shown discomfort with the PSC's priorities and drifting course, particularly on issues such as the Hard Rock gambling resort, expansion of Barcelona airport, and the B40 metropolitan beltway. "We have to decide if the Illa model goes forward, the model that means more planeloads of tourists, or if it is the Comuns model that advances, which is more and cheaper trains for ordinary people,"said Albiach.

The PSC has allied with Junts on several occasions, promoting a right-wing narrative, including passing a law favoring high-speed home evictions and closing the door to the universal basic income plan and regulation of short-term housing rentals. "If we leave the PSC alone, we leave it with the lobbies who want to expand the airport, who want to build the B40, who want to build the Hard Rock," said Lluís Mijoler, El Prat de Llobregat mayor.

The Comuns are aware that they will need to reach an understanding with the PSC to enter the Catalan government. A left-wing majority would require a complex three-way deal between the PSC, ERC, and the Comuns. The polls suggest that the parliamentary configuration resulting from May 12th should make the triple deal possible.

The Comuns are likely to lose some seats, according to polls. They have ruled out entering any government with Junts and know that the far-left CUP will never make Salvador Illa president. The relationship between the Comuns and ERC would be more manageable due to shared understanding on economic and social priorities.

As the Catalan Parliament election campaign enters its final stretch, Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau's call for a left-wing pact underscores the challenges and opportunities facing the region. With critical issues such as infrastructure, financing, and social policies at stake, the outcome of the May 12th election will shape the future direction of Catalonia and its relationship with the Spanish state.

Key Takeaways

• Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau calls for a left-wing pact in the Catalan Parliament election.
• The election outcome will impact Catalonia's future direction and relationship with Spain.
• Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's efforts have not addressed key Catalan concerns like infrastructure and financing.
• A left-wing pact could lead to a shift in power dynamics and address long-standing issues.
• The Comuns face a dilemma on how to approach the Catalan Socialists (PSC) in the election campaign.