Aliança Catalana has selected Marc Villafañe Valero, a Girona-based entrepreneur, to head its electoral list in Girona, according to ARA. This makes Villafañe the first candidate announced by the far-right party for any of Catalonia's four provincial capitals.
The party had previously postponed its candidate announcements for Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona after its intended Barcelona candidate withdrew at the last minute. Aliança Catalana had been revealing other local candidates in recent weeks, including Mireia Alomà for Mataró.
Villafañe is active in Girona's private medical sector, serving as the sole administrator for thirteen limited companies and a joint administrator for one other. Over the years, he has built a group of independent private clinics and healthcare real estate companies. This structure aims to minimise legal risks between entities and optimise business finances.
Villafañe's Business Background
Some of the companies Villafañe manages include Clínica Lloret, Diagnosi per Imatge Sant Feliu, Baix Empordà Mèdic, and Palamós Alfamèdic, which provide medical assistance and services. He also oversees Immobles Centres Mèdics and Magus Immobles, which focus on renting medical premises. This group reported a turnover of €5.7 million in 2024 and operates as a typical integrated private healthcare group.
Villafañe holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Girona (UdG). He also completed a postgraduate degree in business administration at EAE Business School Barcelona (EAE) and another in mechatronics engineering at the University of Vic (UVic).
Entry into Politics
Despite his extensive business career, Villafañe is new to politics, having never previously been part of an electoral candidacy or a member of any political party. In February, he created a second Instagram account where he describes himself as a "Gironí, using Catalan common sense" and "one more in Aliança Catalana". This phrase is commonly used by members of the far-right party. As of now, his account has no posts.
Villafañe's name was among those considered for the Girona list. However, the party's initial preference was Gisela Sidera, president of Aliança Catalana's executive committee in Gironès. Sidera, a social educator, was third on Aliança Catalana's list for Girona in the 2024 Catalan elections, a list led by party leader Sílvia Orriols, who secured a parliamentary seat.
Party sources indicate that the leadership offered Sidera the mayoral candidacy, but she declined to lead the list due to a desire to avoid such public exposure. She did, however, agree to be part of the candidacy, as she was in the parliamentary elections. Sidera has been the public face of Aliança Catalana in Girona as the party's top official in the region.
