Catalan leaders debate sovereignty and far-right threats

During the 58th edition of the Universitat Catalana d'Estiu, several former political leaders addressed the future of Catalan sovereignty and the challenges facing the Països Catalans.

Jordi Turull, Secretary General of Junts, warned that the rise of far-right discourse represents a significant threat to the independence movement. He argued that far-right ideologies, both Spanish and Catalan, risk alienating citizens from the goal of a Catalan Republic by promoting exclusion rather than the inclusive, humanist values traditionally associated with Catalanism.

In a separate discussion, former presidents Cristòfol Soler, Josep Lluís Albinyana, and Quim Torra emphasized sovereignty and linguistic defense as central issues. Soler criticized the Spanish state for fiscal deficits affecting the Balearic Islands and noted failures in implementing sustainable tourism and housing laws. Albinyana described Spain as a ‘failed state’ due to the centralization of power in Madrid, which he claimed drains resources from other regions. Torra identified the lack of sovereignty as the primary obstacle facing Catalonia.