Opposition motion targets Illa’s leadership

Junts has announced it will table a motion of censure against Catalan President Salvador Illa, formally known as a resolution of reproach, to be voted on Thursday 1 October 2026. The move comes during the ongoing Debate of General Policy at the Catalan Parliament and marks the first time such a resolution has been proposed against a sitting president. Mònica Sales, president of Junts’ parliamentary group, delivered the party’s opening opposition reply on Wednesday, criticising Illa as "the worst president of modern Catalonia" and accusing his government of being subservient to the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), incompetent, and propagandistic. The resolution itself carries no binding consequence but aims to force governing allies, ERC and Comuns, to publicly distance themselves from Illa. The timing coincides with internal turmoil within Junts over the potential return of Carles Puigdemont as opposition leader, a decision still pending.

Illa counters with criminal code reform proposal

In his response, Illa dismissed the motion as hollow, noting Junts had previously supported a vote of confidence in a government it later opposed. He defended his administration’s record on economic performance and public safety. Illa also used the debate to announce a new initiative: a proposed reform of the Spanish Criminal Code to strengthen penalties for illegal weapons possession and public display. The PSC will present a parliamentary motion urging the Catalan Parliament to call on the Spanish Congress to amend Articles 563, 564, and 565 of the Criminal Code. Under the proposal, prison terms for illegal possession would increase:

  • From 1–3 to 2–4 years for prohibited or modified firearms
  • From 1–2 to 18 months–3 years for unlicensed short firearms
  • Up to 4 years for short firearms with aggravating factors (e.g. erased serial numbers, illegal modifications)

The reform also seeks to remove judicial discretion to reduce sentences when weapons are displayed in public if the act involves vulnerable groups such as minors or people with disabilities. Currently, offenders can receive reduced penalties if they claim non-criminal intent. The proposal aligns with a European Commission directive (COM(2026) 102 final, 26 February 2026) aiming to harmonise gun crime penalties across the EU.

We are very strict about respecting coexistence and maintaining public order,” said Illa.

The push follows a sharp rise in firearm incidents in Catalonia. According to Mossos d'Esquadra data, there were 127 real firearm incidents by June 2026, up from 88 in the same period in 2025. In 68 of these cases, the weapon was discharged, resulting in 27 injuries and 6 deaths.

Broader political context

Sales’ speech revived symbolic references to the 1 October 2017 independence referendum, marking its ninth anniversary on Thursday, with criticism of Illa for siding “with batons, not ballot boxes.” She also recalled his past support for the application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution. On policy, Junts offered limited alternatives, cautiously advocating tax reductions, support for middle classes and self-employed workers, and more structured immigration management. It did not respond to Illa’s recent housing announcements, including a fund to prevent evictions and a shared ownership scheme for people over 40. Illa invited Junts to engage in concrete negotiations on education reform, join the Pacte per la Llengua to promote Catalan, and present realistic proposals on fiscal autonomy.

Reported by lavanguardia.com, elnacional.cat, larazon.es, Europa Press, elmundo.es, Departament d'Edicions del Parlament de Catalunya, Ag7, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com.