Former Catalan economy minister Jaume Giró has torn up his membership card and formally left Junts, bringing an end to his association with the party led by Carles Puigdemont. The move, confirmed by sources within Junts and reported by Nació Digital, follows months of growing disagreement over the party’s political strategy and internal management.
Giró communicated his decision to Puigdemont and party secretary general Jordi Turull in recent days, marking a final break after stepping down from the party executive and resigning his seat in the Catalan Parliament in September 2025. At the time, he stated that current party directions did not align with his vision for the country’s political needs, criticising what he described as excessive tactical focus and prioritisation of party interests over national ones.
From high-profile recruit to definitive exit
Giró entered politics in 2021 as a prominent recruit for Puigdemont, despite having no prior elected experience. A journalist by training, he held senior roles at Fundació la Caixa and Repsol before joining Laporta’s presidential bid at FC Barcelona, a position he ultimately declined due to management style concerns.
Shortly after, Puigdemont appointed him head of the Economy and Finance Ministry in the coalition government under Pere Aragonès. As minister, Giró secured the 2022 budget, the first passed on time in 15 years, with support from ERC, Junts, and Comuns, and laid groundwork for the 2023 budget. He also helped improve Catalonia’s debt standing, removing it from ‘junk’ status.
In October 2022, Junts exited the coalition government following the dismissal of Jordi Puigneró. Giró, alongside Victòria Alsina, led internal efforts to remain in government, but lost a party vote on the matter. He was elected to Parliament in 2024 on Junts’ list but resigned his seat and executive role a year later.
The breakdown reflects deepening divisions within Junts between pragmatic, centrist figures and its more hardline independence wing.
Pragmatic wing loses another figure
Giró represented Junts’ more pragmatic, conciliatory wing, expressing admiration for former president Jordi Pujol and Convergència’s legacy. In recent months, he advocated for greater openness to agreements with Salvador Illa’s government and supported reform of Catalonia’s financing model, albeit with reservations.
He was approached by Aliança Catalana to lead their Barcelona municipal list for the 2027 elections, an offer he declined. Though considered a potential candidate for mayor of Barcelona under Junts, he opted out of the primary race, which was won by Jordi Martí i Galbis.
His departure coincides with that of Eusebi Campdepadrós, former secretary of the parliamentary board and recent beneficiary of Spain’s Supreme Court amnesty ruling, who left the party on 27 July after months of distancing himself. According to Ara, these exits signal a steady drift of veteran or influential figures from Junts amid internal tensions.
Reported by Nació Digital, Ara, CatalunyaPress.cat, elmundo.es, LaRepublica.cat, L'Empordà, cronicaglobal.cat, El Nacional (CA), La Ciutat, Racó Català.
