Strategic Power Play: The Political Battle for Ripoll and the Rise of Aliança Catalana
In the high-stakes arena of Catalan politics, a strategic shift is unfolding in the municipality of Ripoll that has sent ripples through the regional establishment. What began as a localized conflict over municipal services has evolved into a broader struggle for ideological dominance, as Aliança Catalana attempts a political “takeover bid” targeting the voter base of Junts. For Carles Puigdemont, this represents a complex strategic crossroads—a challenge that could either destabilize his coalition or provide the dreamed-of opportunity to redefine the independentist movement.
The tension reached a boiling point during an extraordinary plenary session in Ripoll, where the governing team of Aliança Catalana presented a detailed project for a new nursing home. The project, described as the result of extensive work by technical services, was initially blocked by the opposition. This move sparked a fierce reaction from the municipal government, which characterized the rejection as “absolutely repugnant” and argued that the opposition was prioritizing partisan fighting over the urgent needs of the elderly, who currently reside in facilities with serious health risks and deficiencies.
The standoff highlighted a significant fracture in the local “cordon sanitaire.” Although opposition groups, including ERC and Junts, initially sought to isolate the far-right government, the human cost of the nursing home delay forced a tactical pivot. Following final interventions, Junts x Ripoll reconsidered its position and ultimately chose not to oppose the construction of the new facility.
This local friction is a microcosm of a larger regional trend. Aliança Catalana, a far-right Catalan independentist party founded in Ripoll on July 20, 2020, has moved from the fringes to a position of disruptive power. Led by Sílvia Orriols, the party currently holds two seats in the Parliament of Catalunya and 14 councilors across various municipalities. With a reported membership of 3,000 as of 2025, the party advocates for a hardline approach to Catalan independence, the defense of Western values, and a strict moratorium on immigration.
The ideology of Aliança Catalana is built on a foundation of “identitarisme” and opposition to bilingualism, promoting the deportation of criminal immigrants and the repatriation of illegal immigrants. The party also champions economic protectionism for Catalan industry to reverse a model it claims is overly dependent on tourism and hospitality.
For the leadership of Junts, the rise of Aliança Catalana is more than just a political annoyance; It’s a direct threat to their electoral flank. Reports indicate that Aliança Catalana is actively pursuing a “takeover bid” of Junts voters, specifically targeting “disenchanted independentists.” This migration of support suggests that a segment of the electorate is moving toward a more radical, right-wing interpretation of the independence project.
The strategic dilemma for Carles Puigdemont is evident in the party’s recent behavior in Ripoll. Junts has been accused of “auto-excluding” itself from a citizen-led pact designed to isolate the far right. Specifically, the commission following the pact against the extreme right claimed that Junts breached its agreement by refusing to join a motion of censure against Mayor Sílvia Orriols.
Junts has denied these allegations. Mònica Sales, the party’s spokesperson in the Parlament, maintained that the party has not broken any pact and that its voting record has not allowed any initiatives from Aliança Catalana or Vox to prosper. This tension reflects a broader internal struggle: whether to maintain a strict wall against the far right or to adapt to a shifting electoral landscape where the line between traditional independentism and the far right is blurring.
The economic implications of these political maneuvers are also coming into focus. In the case of the Ripoll nursing home, opposition members—including a Ms. Llimós—questioned the financial risks of the project. Still, subsequent analysis showed that in the worst-case scenario, the municipal contribution would remain consistent with the funding already provided to the Fundació Guifré.
As the political landscape shifts, the “nightmare” of voter flight toward Aliança Catalana forces Junts to reconsider its playbook. The struggle in Ripoll is no longer just about a nursing home; it is about who controls the narrative of Catalan identity and independence in an era of increasing polarization.
The next critical checkpoint will be the upcoming municipal elections, where the success or failure of Aliança Catalana’s “takeover bid” will determine if the far-right can translate its current momentum into a permanent shift in the Catalan political order.
Do you think the shift toward far-right independentism is a temporary trend or a permanent change in the Catalan political landscape? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
