Video: @salvadorilla / X
ERC demands parliamentary clarification
The Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) has filed formal questions with the Catalan Parliament seeking clarification from the regional government over the reported absence of the Catalan flag, the senyera, during President Salvador Illa’s official visit to Ukraine last week. The party wants to know the criteria and protocols governing the display of Catalonia’s official symbols at home and abroad, particularly in institutional settings.
Symbolic presence in diplomatic context
ERC stated that the senyera is a key element of institutional representation for Catalonia and should be present at all official acts carried out by the Generalitat, both domestically and internationally. The issue arose following Illa’s two-day diplomatic mission to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirmed Catalonia’s support for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
The senyera is an element of institutional representation of the country that must be present at official Generalitat events.
Photos and official footage from the visit showed no visible display of the Catalan flag during key moments, including the meeting at the Presidential Office in Kyiv. This has prompted ERC to question whether established protocols were followed.
Official visit amid active conflict
Illa’s trip, which took place on 4 September 2026, was part of a broader gesture of solidarity with Ukraine amid ongoing Russian attacks. During his visit, an airstrike hit the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service while Illa was touring a military hospital with Dominican nun Sor Lucía Caram, prompting a temporary suspension of scheduled events. Despite the security incident, Illa proceeded with meetings, including a session with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, where he reiterated support for using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s reconstruction and backed the country’s EU accession process. The Catalan president’s visit was also intended to strengthen economic, energy, and health cooperation ahead of winter. The trip aligns with previous parliamentary declarations supporting humanitarian aid, including emergency generators for critical services in cities like Kyiv and Odesa.
Call for transparency on protocol
ERC’s parliamentary inquiry seeks detailed information on the decision-making process behind the use of national symbols during foreign visits. The party referenced the importance of consistency, noting that the senyera has been prominently displayed during previous official events, including the annual National Day of Catalonia ceremonies at the Parliament and abroad. The Generalitat has not yet responded to ERC’s formal questions. The issue is expected to be addressed during upcoming parliamentary sessions.
Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by elpais.com, Parlament de Catalunya, regio7.cat, vilaweb.cat, elnacional.cat, elperiodico.com, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, parlament.cat, ABC, Ch14, Departament d'Edicions del Parlament de Catalunya - ju7, Racó Català.
