Jaume Duch, a veteran of the European Parliament’s spokesperson service, will be leaving his current role to serve as the regional minister for the European Union and external policy in Catalonia. Duch, who has 34 years of experience working within the EU institutions, was appointed by the recently sworn-in president of Catalonia, Salvador Illa. This appointment has been praised by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the leader of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the Parliament, Iratxe García Pérez.
Illa, a member of the Socialist party of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, managed to secure the support of the pro-independence Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and the left-wing Comuns alliance to become the president of Catalonia. Despite winning the most seats in the snap elections held on May 12, Illa’s party did not secure enough votes to govern independently, leading to negotiations with other left-leaning parties. Illa’s investiture marked the end of over a decade of nationalist and pro-independence governments in Barcelona, although the ceremony was overshadowed by the brief return of exiled separatist leader Carles Puigdemont.
Puigdemont, who faces an arrest warrant, made a short appearance in central Barcelona before fleeing back to Belgium, where he has been residing since 2017. This event raised questions about how the Catalan police force failed to apprehend him. Last year, Spain’s Prime Minister struck a controversial deal with Catalan separatist parties, including Puigdemont’s, to secure his position in office in exchange for amnesty for leaders involved in the failed secession attempt in 2017.
Although the regional government of Catalonia has limited powers in its dealings with the EU, the independentist parties that have governed the region have pushed for Catalan to be recognized as an official language within the European Union. This initiative was supported by the Spanish government as a means of gaining favor with regionalist parties to secure political backing. However, the proposal has not yet gained traction in Brussels, highlighting the complexities of governance and regional relations within Spain.
Duch, as an experienced EU insider, is expected to navigate these complex political landscapes effectively in his new role as regional minister for the European Union and external policy in Catalonia. His extensive experience within the European Parliament and strong pro-European stance will likely contribute to strengthening the region’s ties with the EU and external partners. As Catalonia transitions to a new government under Illa’s leadership, Duch’s appointment signifies a strategic move towards enhancing the region’s engagement with key international stakeholders.
Overall, Duch’s appointment as regional minister in Catalonia reflects a shift in the political landscape towards a more collaborative and strategic approach to regional governance. His expertise and deep understanding of EU dynamics will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of Catalonia’s relations with the European Union and external partners. As the region transitions under new leadership, the role of Duch will be crucial in shaping Catalonia’s position within the broader European context and strengthening ties with key stakeholders on the international stage.
