Catalonia’s Separatist Leader Steps Down, Declines to Support Socialists in Forming Regional Government

Catalonia’s outgoing president, Pere Aragones, announced on Monday that he would be stepping down from politics after his separatist party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), suffered a major setback in the region’s election. The election results saw Spain’s Socialists deliver a historic upset to the independence movement, with the Socialists winning the most votes but falling short of a majority.

Aragones, who has led Catalonia for three years, stated that his party would not support the Socialists in forming a government, instead suggesting that the Socialists reach out to the hardline separatist party Junts. With the Socialists holding 42 seats in Catalonia’s 135-seat chamber, they will need to form a coalition government to secure a majority.

The outcome of the regional election also has implications for the stability of Spain’s national government. ERC has previously supported Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s minority government, but now faces the decision of whether to continue this support or push for more concessions at both the regional and national levels.

Political analysts suggest that the support of ERC and Junts is crucial for the stability of the national government, with potential consequences if either party feels excluded from the decision-making process. The coming days will be crucial as parties negotiate and strategize to form a government that can effectively govern Catalonia and maintain stability at the national level.