Spain: Campaigning begins in Catalonia ahead of Dec. 21 regional vote

Event

The campaigning period for the upcoming December 21 regional elections began in Catalonia on Tuesday, December 5. The launch of campaigning comes as four Catalan politicians remain in jail in connection to Catalonia’s failed bid for independence in October. Six other Catalan leaders were released on Monday, December 4, after posting bail. Meanwhile, Spanish authorities withdrew international arrest warrants for former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, currently in Belgium, and four members of his cabinet. However, officials stated that the police will still arrest Puigdemont and others if they return to Spain. Belgian authorities will reportedly decide whether to honor Spain’s request to extradite Puigdemont and his allies on Thursday, December 14. Puigdemont remains on the Catalonia ballot as the presidential candidate for the pro-independence Esquerro Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) party, in defiance of the charges brought against him by Spanish authorities.

Both pro- and anti-independence demonstrations are likely to occur ahead of the December 21 vote. Increased security measures should be anticipated across Catalonia ahead of the election.

Context

Spain was thrown into a constitutional and political crisis after Catalonia held an independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government, on October 1. Despite the series of logistical and judicial obstacles enacted by the central government to prevent the vote, 42 percent of the Catalan population participated in the referendum, 90 percent of which voted in favor of independence. Madrid officially suspended the region’s autonomy on October 27 - just moments after the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence - and implemented direct central rule. The central government also fired the Catalan government, dissolved Parliament, and set new regional elections for December 21.

Since October 27, a number of Catalan officials have been arrested and charged with rebellion, sedition, and embezzlement of public funds. Puigdemont and four members of his cabinet fled to Belgium on October 30, and turned themselves in to Belgian police on November 4. They were released the same day on condition that they do not attempt to leave Belgium.

Advice

Individuals in Catalonia are advised to keep abreast of developments to the situation and to avoid any protests as a precaution.