Catalonia will commemorate its annual “Diada” holiday on Wednesday, reflecting on the fall of Barcelona to Spain in 1714. This year, however, the celebration comes at a time of significant change, with separatist movements fractured and out of power for the first time in over a decade.
The Diada has traditionally been a platform for showcasing support for Catalonia’s independence, with large rallies frequently drawing over a million participants. However, recent years have seen diminishing turnout and enthusiasm, mirroring a broader decline in separatist fervor.
This year’s event is marked by further divisions within the pro-independence camp, with separate demonstrations planned across Barcelona and other Catalan cities. These splits underscore the challenges facing the separatist movement, which has been unable to present a unified front.
A key turning point occurred in May when Salvador Illa, a former national health minister, was elected head of the Catalan regional government. Illa’s Socialists secured the most seats in the May regional elections but fell short of a majority. They formed a coalition government with a small far-left party and moderate separatists from ERC, marking the first time since 2010 that Catalonia’s government is not led by pro-independence forces.
To gain ERC’s support, the Socialists promised to transfer full control of regional tax revenues to Catalonia, a long-standing separatist demand. This proposal, pending approval from Spain’s national parliament, faces strong opposition from both the conservative opposition and within the Socialist party, who argue it could significantly impact central government finances.
The political landscape was further complicated by the return of Carles Puigdemont, the former separatist leader who fled Spain following the 2017 independence bid. Puigdemont made a brief appearance at a Barcelona rally before disappearing to Belgium, where he remains in exile.
Despite a decrease in separatist support, Catalonia’s desire for independence has not been entirely extinguished. The region, contributing approximately one-fifth of Spain’s economic output, enjoys significant autonomy in various areas. Current surveys indicate a majority of Catalans (53 percent) oppose independence, while 40 percent support it.
Political science professor Ana Sofia Cardenal from the Open University of Catalonia noted that while separatism has not been defeated, the most ardent supporters are acknowledging the current unfavorable conditions. “The issue could be revived in a different context,” Cardenal said, suggesting that while Puigdemont and his party, JxCAT, are increasingly isolated, they continue to play a crucial role in national politics through their parliamentary votes.