Girona mayor Lluc Salellas has expressed willingness to re-form an independentist government after the 2027 municipal elections, as his administration adjusts to ruling in minority following Junts' abrupt exit from the coalition.
Salellas, leader of Guanyem (a CUP-affiliated platform), told Nació Digital that while his priority remains the original 64-point agreement made with Junts and ERC in June 2023, his administration must now work with other forces to complete the mandate. The current minority government of 11 out of 27 city councillors has secured a temporary agreement with the PSC to approve the new municipal work plan (cartipàs) until May 2027, but Salellas insists this does not constitute a stable alliance.
"We have a programme agreed with Junts and ERC that sets our priorities," Salellas said, noting that Junts had chosen to break the coalition to align more closely with right-wing politics. "They preferred to clear their right flank rather than seek consensus on issues like language or housing that could have united us."
Local focus over national politics
Salellas criticised both Junts and the PSC for being more attentive to political developments in Barcelona and Madrid than to Girona’s needs. "Our project has no dependencies," he said, pointing to achievements like the expansion of the Josep Trueta Hospital and urban transformations under the current administration.
He defended a distinctly Girona-focused model centred on affordable housing, urban accessibility, Catalan language and culture, and street life. "We represent Girona’s social reality, a progressive, Catalanist, and transformative vision," he said.
"We represent Girona’s social reality, a progressive, Catalanist, and transformative vision."
Minority government to continue with PSC support
The new cartipàs was approved with PSC abstention, following a deal that includes the creation of a monitoring commission. ERC gains two additional councillor roles under the revised arrangement. However, Salellas ruled out any preferential long-term alignment, stating the door remains open to cooperation with Junts where possible.
Despite the coalition breakup, he remains optimistic about reassembling an independentist bloc in 2027. "The last three years have allowed us to unblock key projects with a clear Gironan and Catalan perspective. If the arithmetic allows, we’re ready to govern again with Junts and ERC."
He acknowledged the potential challenge posed by the far-right party Aliança Catalana but said he has not observed significant public momentum behind it in Girona.
2027 race may see direct contest with PSC
Salellas suggested the next election will likely be a head-to-head contest between Guanyem and the PSC, especially if Silvia Paneque, current Catalan government spokesperson and former PSC candidate in Girona, runs again. While noting Paneque has spent more time in Girona’s region than in other areas of Catalonia, he said her candidacy remains a decision for the PSC.
"The 2023 results already pointed this way. In 2027, two models will face off, ours, rooted in this city, and the PSC’s, which sometimes seems more focused elsewhere," Salellas said.
Primary sources: sid, seu.girona.cat, eb.girona.cat. Reported by Source Text Link, naciodigital.cat, Agencia EFE, Berta Artigas Fontàs, ACN, lavanguardia.com, elnacional.cat, Tapi Carreras, Judit Castaño, seu-e.cat, ACN | Girona, Laura Castaño Martín, Nació Digital.
