The Bellaterra annexation vote faces a delay. Residents hoping to decide their municipal future must wait after political groups withdrew a proposal for an immediate referendum. Consequently, the motion was pulled from the 19 January plenary session to avoid a likely defeat. This decision aims to build time for a unified political strategy.
The proposal sought to ask residents formally if they wish to leave Cerdanyola del Vallès and join neighbouring Sant Cugat. Opposition groups, including Gent per Bellaterra and ERC, initially championed the vote. However, they realised the numbers were against them shortly before the session began.
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Why the Bellaterra Annexation Vote Was Withdrawn
Political arithmetic in Bellaterra’s decentralised Municipal Entity (EMD) shifted unexpectedly. A vacancy left by a resigning ERC member meant the opposition bloc lacked votes to challenge the governing party, Bellaterra Endavant. Therefore, rather than force a losing vote, the groups agreed to withdraw the motion.
Carles Triginer, spokesperson for Gent per Bellaterra, explained the withdrawal allows parties to rebuild bridges. The new plan involves constructing a shared position between government and opposition. Subsequently, they intend to present a united front to Cerdanyola del Vallès City Council, which holds administrative authority.
The Debate Over Autonomy and the Annexation Vote
A central issue stalling the process is Bellaterra’s future status. Currently, the area functions as an EMD, granting specific autonomy and funding management within Cerdanyola. The key question for any future referendum is whether integration into Sant Cugat would preserve this status. Alternatively, it might require Bellaterra to become a standard neighbourhood without administrative autonomy.
As detailed in recent reports, the opposition wants any consultation to address this nuance. They argue residents need to know if joining Sant Cugat means sacrificing current self-management powers.
Tensions Between Municipalities Over the Vote
The push for annexation has caused friction between Cerdanyola and Sant Cugat councils. In 2019, a local commission collected signatures from 61% of Bellaterra residents supporting the move. Supporters cite daily habits, socioeconomic profiles, and local identity as reasons for the switch. Meanwhile, this is not the first instance of a political standoff involving the Catalan government and municipal authorities.
The process gained legal weight in 2024. The High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) ordered Cerdanyola to process the administrative file for segregation. This procedure, previously stalled, is now moving through official channels.
Tensions rose recently after Sant Cugat City Council issued a January report stating annexation would be viable. Cerdanyola officials criticised this intervention as improper interference. The final decision rests with the Generalitat, expected to rule in summer 2026. This regional body holds significant authority, as shown in other situations where the Generalitat de Catalunya administers property and settles complex disputes.
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