How is the Catalan issue impacting the European elections campaign in Spain?

The recent elections in Catalonia have not only shaped the political landscape in the region but have also set the stage for the upcoming European elections. The outcome of the talks to form a regional government in Catalonia will have a significant impact on the campaign for the seats in Brussels on 9 June, according to the Euronews Superpoll.

The Catalan Socialists, PSC, emerged victorious in the elections but fell short of securing enough seats to govern Catalonia. The separatist forces, on the other hand, experienced a setback, with the Republican Left of Catalonia, ERC, losing ground. The party, led by Pere Aragonès, has shifted its focus towards negotiations with the central government in Madrid, putting aside its original intention to secede.

The issue of Catalan independence has been a divisive one in Spanish politics, with parties taking firm stances on either side of the debate. The proposed amnesty for separatist leaders by the socialist government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has further fueled tensions, with many Spaniards and Catalan loyalists opposing the move.

The upcoming European elections will be crucial for Spanish political parties, with the PP leading in voting intentions, followed by the national-conservative Vox party. The choice of Catalan candidates by these parties reflects their strategic efforts to gain support in the region, which has significant electoral weight.

As the political situation in Spain remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations in Catalonia and shifting alliances, the outcome of the European elections is still uncertain. The decisions made in the coming weeks will shape the future of both Catalonia and Spain as a whole, with implications for the broader European political landscape.