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In a dramatic turn of events, the Catalan pro-independence party Junts per Catalunya, led by former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, currently on the run in France, has unanimously decided to sever ties with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s coalition government following a high-stakes meeting in Perpignan, France. The decision, announced on Monday, raises the stakes significantly in Spain’s already fraught political landscape and Sanchez’s grip on power. According to Puigdemont, the main issue for the current rift originates in the Sanchez government not keeping his promise to aid in the independence of Catalonia. Puigdemont addressed the public at 5pm CET to elaborate on Junts’ next steps, with the party’s base expected to ratify the decision through an internal consultation. The move comes as part of growing tensions between Junts and Sanchez’s Socialist-led government, with the current Catalan President Salvador Illa pleading with Junts to exercise “common sense” and warning that the alternative to Sanchez’s leadership is “regression”. Meanwhile, Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of Castilla-La Mancha and a prominent Socialist, described Puigdemont as a “prisoner” of Sanchez, while noting the government’s dependence on Junts, predicting that navigating the 2026 electoral calendar without triggering general elections will be “very complicated”. Sanchez power dependent on coalition partners Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez managed to cling on to the executive position after the last election after achieving fewer seats than the opposition party PP by negotiating with the majority of regional parties who won seats, such as Bildu (Basque Country), Sumar (formerly Unidas Podemos), Canarian Coalition, and most notably Junts per Catalunya, the party of the notorious separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who donated their support of 7 seats and tipped the balance for a Sanchez-led coalition. The Socialist Party (PSOE) has so far refrained from commenting on the announcement, with spokesperson Montse Mínguez stating that the party awaits further details from Puigdemont’s upcoming address. In contrast, Sumar, a coalition partner in Sanchez’s government, expressed optimism about finding common ground. Culture Minister and Sumar spokesperson Ernest Urtasun stressed the government’s commitment to dialogue and confirmed that the 2026 budget proposal will be presented to Congress regardless of Junts’ decision. Accusations of putting coalition partners’ interest before country’s Pedro Sanchez has been accused of cow-tailing to the demands of Junts at the expense of other regions in Spain. The loss of support from Junts, which has been threatened before, could open the doors to a vote of no confidence, and spark a general election. The ripple effects of the rupture are already being felt beyond Catalonia. In the Canary Islands, government spokesperson Alfonso Cabello expressed hope that the split would not jeopardise a decree aimed at advancing the region’s agenda, which is under preparation for submission to the central government. Meanwhile, Belen Lopez, general secretary of the CCOO trade union in Catalonia, sharply criticised Junts, accusing the party of “fuelling anti-politics” by undermining key initiatives like reduced working hours, public service investments, and housing and transport projects. As Spain braces for the fallout, all eyes are on Sanchez’s reaction, and that of the opposition, which could further reshape the country’s political future. What happens next? Short-Term Consequences: Paralysis in Congress/Legislative Gridlock: Without Junts’ support, Sanchez’s government (PSOE + Sumar: 152 seats) falls too short of the 176-seat absolute majority needed for key bills. There will no doubt be opposition to the 2026 budgets, already promised for Congress regardless by Sumar’s Ernest Urtasun. Regional allies like ERC (7 seats), PNV (5), EH Bildu (6), BNG (1), and CCa (1) may not fully compensate, as they’ve already shown selective support with their own grievances. End of Secret Talks: The monthly Swiss-mediated negotiations between Junts and PSOE, ongoing since 2023, are now terminated, removing a backchannel for more Catalan concessions. PSOE’s Cautious Response: The Socialists, via spokesperson Montse Mínguez, are withholding comment until post-Puigdemont details emerge, and dismiss the statement as “rhetoric” while keeping “the hand extended” for talks. Sanchez has privately called for restraint. While Sanchez’s grip on power and democratic mandate weakens, we can but wait to to see how the opposition reacts and if a motion of no confidences is put forward.
