Regional elections in Catalonia: the Covid-19 has pushed independence into the background
Demonstrators raise the Catalan flag ahead of the regional elections in Barcelona on February 12, 2021. REUTERS - Albert Gea
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While Spain is still struck by the Covid-19 pandemic, Catalonia goes to the polls on Sunday February 14.
In the face of the pandemic, which has upset the priorities of society, political parties have been forced to relegate the issue of the region's sovereignty to the background during this campaign.
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With our correspondent in Barcelona,
Élise Gazengel
Three years after the Catalan referendum deemed illegal by Madrid,
the separatists
seem to be at the
end of their rope in the midst of the electoral campaign
.
The polls give them a majority, but this fragile agreement could not be repeated as explained by Gemma Ubasart.
According to her,
the two coalition parties currently in power in the region are in crisis
.
"
They do not share the same projects for independence, nor their public policies and, in addition, they do not get along with each other
", explains the political scientist.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the extreme right could enter the Catalan parliament for the first time, with Vox.
This is based on a double talk.
“
In Catalonia and Spain,
Vox is also against immigration and equality laws
, but less than elsewhere in the country.
Here, they are above all a Spanish nationalist party, but an extreme version
, ”explains Toni Rodon, professor of political science.
Sunday's elections will also be marked by abstention, which should be much higher than in 2017
because of the pandemic
.
But also due to political dissatisfaction.
It remains to be seen what alliances will be possible to form a new government.
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Also to listen
: Regional elections in Catalonia: when the Covid-19 goes beyond the question of independence
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