As Catalonia steps into 2026, its political parties have laid out their hopes and priorities for the year ahead, metaphorically sending "letters to the Three Wise Men." These wishes reflect both pragmatic goals and ambitious dreams as the region prepares for its next electoral cycle and governance challenges.
Junts and ERC: A Focus on Leadership and Independence
For Junts, the year’s biggest gift would be the return of Carles Puigdemont. Recent developments in Europe regarding an amnesty make this plausible, potentially energizing their campaign well ahead of the 2027 municipal elections. Junts also plans to push forward on immigration, security, and housing—issues flagged by local mayors and developed into well-worked proposals.
ERC’s top priority mirrors Junts in some ways: enabling Oriol Junqueras to run for president of the Generalitat. This depends heavily on the full application of the amnesty and the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding his disqualification for malversation. Beyond that, ERC is eyeing the outcome of the new financing model as a potential victory, as well as progress on transferring management of Rodalies through a mixed enterprise. Housing remains a pressing issue, with ERC pushing for stricter inspections and sanctions.
PSC and the Search for Stability through Budgets
The PSC, led by Salvador Illa, is aiming for a more concrete gift: the approval of the government’s budgets. After a tough start in 2025, securing these fiscal plans remains a challenge given the stringent demands of their coalition partners, mainly ERC and the Common People’s Party (Comuns).
The party underscores social prosperity — highlighting housing, security, climate, education, and health as key sectors. They also target final approval of the guaranteed income scheme and the democratic memory law in Parliament.
Other Parties: Security, Housing, and More
The Catalan Popular Party (PP) focuses on pushing for action against illegal housing occupations, immigration control, and tax cuts. The wish for a general election triggered by the resignation of Pedro Sánchez remains unlikely in the near future.
The Common People’s Party (Comuns) demands stricter enforcement of housing laws, including penalties for violations and banning speculative property purchases. They also want public transport to be affordable and reliable, balanced against accepted fare hikes.
The CUP closed 2025 by approving seasonal rental regulations and will continue fighting speculation and touristification. They advocate for a shift towards degrowth and transforming the tourism model to reduce social and environmental impacts. Creating a public supermarket to fight food speculation and positioning the Catalan language at the core of the national project and independence struggle are also among their priorities.
Looking Ahead
While some political wishes hinge on complex judicial outcomes or budget negotiations, most parties align on pressing social issues like housing, security, and public services. The blend of achievable goals and hopeful ambitions underscores Catalonia’s dynamic and contested political landscape as it moves forward in 2026.
