Catalonia’s National Day has witnessed its weakest mobilisation in over a decade, with just 28,000 people attending the annual pro-independence march in Barcelona.
The figure, provided by the Guàrdia Urbana, represents a dramatic drop from the 60,000 who took part in 2024 and is the lowest turnout since the demonstrations began. The event, organised by groups including ANC, Òmnium and the Consell de la República, marched slowly through the city under the slogan ‘More reasons than ever’.
This year’s Diada unfolded in a notably subdued atmosphere, overshadowed by heavy rain and political fatigue. Protesters, some chanting ‘Independence’ and others directing abuse towards Spain and the Catalan Socialists, highlighted a movement increasingly fractured. Five hooded individuals set fire to a Spanish flag before the march began, a symbolic act in stark contrast to the overall dwindling enthusiasm.
President Salvador Illa presided over his second Diada in office, emphasising coexistence, fair financing for Catalonia and protection of the Catalan language, following a court ruling against articles of a government decree safeguarding its use in schools.
Although groups such as Junts and ERC insisted on resisting Madrid’s policies, the reduced mobilisation underscored a wider decline in the independence movement’s ability to galvanise support.
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