Vote of dual importance
More than 5.3 million people have the chance today to choose Catalonia's 947 mayors and 8,118 councillors
The sovereignty parties hope for a result that bolsters the independence process
They come round every four years in Spain, but the local elections today have a special significance. Today's voting will not only serve to choose the 947 mayors and 8,118 councillors who will govern Catalonia's local authorities, but they will also act as a first electoral test for the sovereignty parties and for the strength of the process towards the country's independence.
Today's elections are the first to be held since the president of the Generalitat, Artur Mas, announced in January early elections for this coming September 27. Today will be a test that some will interpret as bolstering the sovereignty process, while for others it will be proof that the bubble has burst. Aware of this, the sovereignty parties CiU, ERC and CUP have made their message clear during their election campaigns. The unionist parties, meanwhile, have insisted that the local elections are no more than that and that the only thing in play is the composition of local authorities. Nevertheless, these parties are ready to rub their hands if the parties in favour of independence fail to reach their objectives, no matter by how small a margin.
The elections will take place in a strange atmosphere caused by the decision of the Junta Electoral Central to demand the removal of estelada flags from its buildings after a complaint made by the Societat Civil Catalana. For example, the Catalan police yesterday removed flags from the town halls of Navàs and Torroella de Montgrí. At the same time, there are a number of unknowns, such as whether CiU can hold on to the Barcelona city council or whether BComú will get the most votes in the capital.
Voters and candidates
These circumstances apart, today some 5,376,193 people in the country have the chance to vote in the local elections, 68,765 more than four years ago. Despite the increase in the size of the electorate, the choices before them have decreased. From 3,811 candidates four years ago, this year there are 3,681, bucking an upward trend that had continued uninterruptedly since 1983. Nevertheless, this year's 3,681 candidates is still many more than the 2,177 who stood 32 years ago.
Changes in county council composition
The local elections results will not only serve to choose who governs town halls. They will also be the basis for choosing the members of Catalonia's provincial (diputacions) and county councils. The latter should begin working under a new system in local government legislation. Yet, as it has still not been passed, they will continue with the old system in which representatives are chosen according to the local election results. The proposal aims to make the councils less political. However, there will be changes in the composition of the councils. A total of 27 councillors will be chosen, to a maximum of 1,067. This is due to the creation of the county of Moianès, which will have 19 councillors. Baix Penedès will get an extra eight councillors due to a rise in population. No major variations are expected in the four provincial councils. Barcelona will have 51 members, Girona and Tarragona 27 and Lleida, 25.