Democratic alliance to be forged in November
Barcelona, 29 September 2026, President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa has announced that Catalonia will host the Conference of Regions for Democracy in November 2026, a forum aimed at uniting regional governments worldwide committed to democracy, the rule of law and European values. Illa made the announcement during his address at the General Political Debate in the Catalan Parliament, stating the initiative seeks to build a 'great democratic alliance' amid growing global challenges including climate change, demographic shifts and technological transformation.
"We want to build alliances, convinced democrats are the majority,"
said Illa, emphasising Catalonia’s ambition to strengthen its voice in European policymaking, particularly in the upcoming EU multiannual financial framework for 2028–34.
Language and EU representation
Illa reaffirmed Catalonia’s push for Catalan to become an official EU language, noting that while the language already holds official status in Catalonia and is used in EU institutions under administrative agreements, full official recognition remains a strategic goal. According to the Generalitat’s language policy portal, no EU rule requires a language to be official across an entire member state for it to gain EU status, opening a legal pathway for recognition. Catalonia already participates directly in the European Committee of the Regions, with Illa serving as full member and Jaume Duch Guillot as alternate, reflecting its active role in EU regional dialogue.
Defending democratic progress
The president warned against the growing narrative that democracy fails to meet citizens’ needs, calling it false and dangerous. He stressed that democracy remains essential for advancing public welfare, social rights and individual freedoms. "It is democracy that allows each of us to live, love and think in freedom," Illa said, recalling the long struggle to consolidate democratic gains in Spain after Franco’s dictatorship.
He cited ongoing challenges including housing access, digital policy, industrial competitiveness and food sovereignty, areas where regional cooperation can drive innovation and resilience. The announcement aligns with Catalonia’s Strategic Plan for Foreign Action and EU Relations 2023–2026, which prioritises international engagement and multilateral cooperation.
Primary sources: llengua.gencat.cat, eb.gencat.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ministry for Foreign Action and European Union, accio.gencat.cat, govern.cat, mptmd.gob.es. Reported by larazon.es, endavant.info, Europa Press Barcelona.
