On Monday 07 September 2026, President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa affirmed his respect for teachers' right to strike while urging respect for students' right to education during a live interview on El matí de Catalunya Ràdio from the Palau de la Generalitat.
The interview comes the same week as a teachers' strike coincides with the start of the academic year. Illa defended the government's education record, stating that schools now have "more resources than ever, more than the previous year" under the agreement negotiated last term. He reiterated that his administration's door remains open in the sector.
Illa announced a new plan to be published in the coming weeks to fully climate-control all educational centres across Catalonia. He noted that a quarter of the region's schools were built before 1965, highlighting the urgency of the project. The initiative will also extend to elderly care homes. According to the Department of Education, 100 schools will have air conditioning installed in common areas by September 2026 under current measures.
Government to review security policies after Manresa killing
Illa addressed rising concerns over public safety following the fatal stabbing of a 45-year-old man, Carles Vilajosana, in Manresa on 1 September 2026. The two minors detained in connection with the case were both born in Catalonia and have family ties there, one with Catalan parents and the other with immigrant parents, confirmed Interior Minister Núria Parlon in statements to 3CatInfo and Catalunya Ràdio.
"We are not going to allow the use of vulnerable groups as targets for political incitement," said Parlon, who accused leaders from Vox and Aliança Catalana of spreading disinformation by falsely attributing the crime to unaccompanied Moroccan minors.
Illa said he is open to reviewing security policies to reflect current realities and confirmed his government is considering legal action against Aliança Catalana leader Sílvia Orriols over social media posts linking the attack to migration. The Fiscalía has not yet confirmed whether Orriols' posts constitute a criminal offence.
The president stressed the need for firm action, stating, "Whoever does it, pays for it," and announced plans to expand staffing levels among Mossos d'Esquadra and judiciary personnel.
Catalonia reaffirms solidarity with Ukraine and on migration
Illa, returning from an official visit to Ukraine where he met President Volodímir Zelenski, said he was deeply impressed by Zelenski's clarity of vision during a difficult time. He reiterated Catalonia's commitment to humanitarian and reconstruction aid, stating, "They are defending us too."
On migration, Illa reaffirmed Catalonia's solidarity with Ceuta, saying the region is willing to host unaccompanied minors from the territory. He noted, however, that this must be balanced against Catalonia's existing reception efforts over recent years.
He also responded to criticism from Madrid's regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, urging her not to comment on official residences and to refrain from making negative generalisations about Catalonia and its people. "Here there are no layabouts, no parties. Here there are hard-working, entrepreneurial people who get on with their jobs," Illa said.
Regarding governance, Illa dismissed speculation about early elections or major cabinet reshuffles, stating his focus remains on stability and long-term policy. He confirmed that Territorial Policy Minister Sílvia Paneque remains central to housing and mobility portfolios, with her future political steps to be decided in due course.
Primary sources: govern.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Educació. Reported by t.co, elconfidencial.com, CatalunyaPress.cat, Miriam Saint-Germain, ACN, elperiodico.com, europapress.es, Públic, eldiario.es, elmon.cat, 3Cat.
