# Catalan pro-independence party tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/catalan-pro-independence-party-tensions > Updated: 2026-08-08T12:03:35.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. Political tensions between the pro-independence parties Junts per Catalunya and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) have escalated following internal crises and public disputes. ERC faced internal instability when its Girona mayoral candidate, Marc Puigtió, resigned after a leaked audio recording revealed intentions to seize control of the party's resources. Concurrently, Junts per Catalunya sought to increase its international influence by joining the European Democratic Party and the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. Interpersonal and ideological friction between the two factions resurfaced during the anniversary of Carles Puigdemont's brief return to Barcelona. ERC officials criticized the return as a frivolous act that undermined local police and the independence movement, while Junts leadership accused ERC of prioritizing the interests of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) over Catalan independence. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-08: Junts and ERC clash over Carles Puigdemont's return anniversary Political friction has reignited between Junts and ERC in Catalonia, following renewed criticism from ERC regarding Carles Puigdemont's previous return to Barcelona. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/junts-and-erc-clash-over-carles-puigdemonts-return-anniversary ### 2026-08-04: Catalonia's ERC Crisis and Junts' Entry into European Democratic Party ERC faces a crisis after candidate Marc Puigtió resigns over a leaked audio, while Junts per Catalunya joins the European Democratic Party and Renew Europe group to strengthen its EU influence. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catalonias-erc-crisis-and-junts-entry-into-european-democratic-party --- Cite as: Catalan pro-independence party tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/catalan-pro-independence-party-tensions