The 30th anniversary of the Majestic Pact, which saw the Catalan nationalist coalition CiU support José María Aznar's PP government in Spain, is being marked this week, prompting political reflection across Catalonia. The agreement, signed in 1996, secured concessions on self-governance but avoided identity issues, according to Oriol March.
The anniversary coincides with former Catalan president Jordi Pujol's medical examination at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, where his family faces trial for alleged tax offences. Pujol, who travelled to the capital assisted by a nurse, is cited for 9:30am today. Doctors may rule him unfit to stand trial, potentially making this his last major public appearance. The timing also aligns with recent PP-Vox coalition agreements in various autonomous communities, which operate under the slogan "Spaniards first" and have included anti-Catalan sentiment in Aragon.
Remembering the Majestic Agreement
The 1996 Majestic Pact may evoke a sense of melancholy for some, particularly within Junts per Catalunya. The party, now attempting to return to the political centre ground, might view a quiet alliance with the PP as an easier path to concessions and influence than the confrontational approach of recent years. Circles close to Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the current PP leader, also face reputational costs in Europe and parts of Spain due to alliances with the far-right Vox, which in turn strengthens the far-right narrative.
Beyond political parties, the Majestic Pact holds particular significance in certain business circles. Of the politicians present in the original photograph, only Aznar, who uses his platform as former president and the FAES foundation to act as a moral leader for the Spanish right, and Josep Sánchez Llibre remain active. Sánchez Llibre, who was then Josep Antoni Duran i Lleida's right-hand man in Unió and is now president of the employers' association Foment del Treball, has re-established alignment between the employers' association and the former Convergència space. This has brought him influence and approved amendments in Congress, but also some clashes with prominent figures.
Spanish employers, in general, are at odds with the current Sánchez government. Foment del Treball also expresses dissatisfaction and would welcome a "second Majestic Pact," a sentiment some Junts leaders echo when they mistakenly equate the PSOE and PP. Associated businesses dislike left-wing measures on issues such as housing and tourism regulations. However, there is also significant concern within Foment about the potential effects on Catalonia's stability of a government with a far-right national-Catholic vice-president and ministers, who might invoke Article 155 daily and reignite calls for independence.
The Unicorn of a New Pact
The challenge for all involved is the current political reality, which makes a repeat of the Majestic Pact seem like a "gigantic unicorn." Polls place the PP between 130 and 140 seats in Congress; 176 seats are needed for an absolute majority. Junts currently holds seven seats, and the PNB has five. The Catalan and Basque nationalist right would need to more than triple their combined 12 seats to enable another Majestic Pact. It also seems unlikely that Vox will suffer enough desgaste before the next election to leave the PP in a position to repeat old alliances.
The key question is whether the right and far-right will achieve an absolute majority and govern together, as polls predict, or if the precarious majority supporting Sánchez can be maintained. This dichotomy frustrates some nostalgics for past political arrangements.
Government Retreats and Cultural Initiatives
Meanwhile, Catalan president Salvador Illa has shown a preference for monasteries for government retreats, according to Bernat Surroca. Following a recent gathering at Mon Sant Benet, the next meeting might take place at the Monastery of Les Avellanes in La Noguera. Illa also invites guests to share their perspectives; writer Antoni Puigverd attended the Núria retreat, and philosopher Francesc Torralba spoke at the recent Mon Sant Benet gathering, moving some participants with his reflections. Torralba, who shares Catholic convictions with Illa and Puigverd, was a bestseller at Sant Jordi with his latest Josep Pla prize-winning book, Anatomia de l'esperança (Anatomy of Hope).
In cultural news, the Correllengua Agermanat, a language activism initiative, has been a success across the Catalan-speaking territories. It is currently in the Valencian Country, with local media highlighting its impact, as Bernat Castanyer explains, in other countries with threatened languages. Journalist Reis Juan praised the work of young people from "all the territories that share a language" on À Punt radio, calling for the language to be "loved" because "far from dividing us, it unites us." This message is particularly brave and necessary in the current political climate in the Valencian Country, especially on public media.
Football Fortunes in Catalonia
Last week saw the promotion of Sant Andreu to Primera RFEF. Now, the club is campaigning for Barcelona City Council to install natural grass at the Narcís Sala stadium so they can continue playing there next season. However, there is sad news for Lleida football, with Lleida CF relegated to the Elit league after a draw against Vilassar at Camp d'Esports. The club, heir to UE Lleida which once played in La Liga, has faced severe financial problems for years, leading to its relegation to Tercera RFEF and near disappearance. The team had to rebuild from scratch.
The blue team has also faced opposition from local establishment sectors, who backed the more resourced Atlètic Lleida. Atlètic Lleida, which played in Segona RFEF this season after controversially buying Lleida CF's vacant spot, was also relegated after a defeat by Barça's reserve team. The latest controversy involves a recent attempt by Atlètic Lleida to acquire UE Lleida's historic crest. This situation highlights the regrettable state of football in the Ponent region. For fans of vintage football, the article suggests watching goals from UE Lleida's 1992-93 promotion season to La Liga under coach José Manuel Esnal, known as Mané, with hopes for the club's return to former glory.
