The political chess match within Junts per Catalunya to select its next mayoral candidate for Barcelona is heating up, nearly a year and a half after former mayor Xavier Trias stepped down from the city council. The party leadership is reportedly narrowing its focus on two internal candidates, with a clear preference emerging for party spokesperson Josep Rius, though current municipal group leader Jordi Martí remains a firm contender.
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With the 2027 municipal election on the horizon, Junts is eager to find a successor who can build on Trias’s narrow victory in 2023, which ultimately did not lead to the mayoralty. According to a report by Ara Cat, the party has abandoned its search for a high-profile external figure after several rejections, pivoting to an internal decision.
The central dilemma for Junts now lies between two distinct profiles: the party insider with national influence and the seasoned municipal veteran.
The Main Contenders
Josep Rius, the party’s spokesperson and vice president, is widely seen as the leadership’s favorite. Multiple sources indicate he has the strong backing of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. Rius, who has served as a councilor since 2023, combines his role as a member of the Catalan Parliament with his duties at the Barcelona City Council. He is an active critic of the current mayor, Jaume Collboni, on social media and frequently addresses municipal issues during his party press conferences. Supporters view him as the ideal candidate to build a new leadership narrative from the ground up.
On the other side is Jordi Martí i Galbis, the leader of the Junts municipal group and a councilor since 2011. Martí brings extensive experience in city governance and was a close aide to Xavier Trias, who essentially anointed him as his successor within the council group. Martí has not conceded the race and continues to project his ongoing municipal work on his personal website, signaling his intent to compete for the nomination.
A Push for Consensus
A primary objective for the Junts leadership is to avoid a divisive primary election. The party is actively facilitating conversations between the two potential candidates to forge a consensus and prevent a public confrontation. “The name is between Rius and Martí,” one party source told Ara, confirming that the option of recruiting an outsider “hasn’t panned out.”
The leadership’s strategy is to withhold calling for primaries in the hope that an agreement can be reached. The prevailing sentiment is that “nobody wants to go to war.” Another source explained Rius’s growing momentum: “Rius is gaining strength because the attempt to find someone from the outside hasn’t been successful.” However, a consensus currently seems distant, and the party has committed “not to call primaries until there is an agreement or a definitive break” between the two camps.
The Path to a Decision
The party’s search for a candidate has seen several notable names fall by the wayside. Junts reportedly faced rejections from former Catalan president Artur Mas and former councilor Joaquim Forn. An internal poll also tested the viability of former health minister Josep Maria Argimon and councilor Victòria Alsina, both of whom have since ruled themselves out. A push by factions from the former Convergència party for a pragmatic candidate like ex-economy minister Jaume Giró has also reportedly stalled.
While the return of Carles Puigdemont to Catalonia is seen by some as a key moment that could clarify the party’s choice for Barcelona, the uncertainty surrounding its timing means the current internal discussions are crucial. For now, the leadership is aware that replicating Trias’s electoral success will be a significant challenge for any candidate.
The decision facing Junts is a strategic one: back the party-aligned figure favored by its top leaders or opt for the continuity and deep-seated municipal experience offered by Trias’s chosen successor. The outcome will shape the party’s challenge to Mayor Collboni and its political future in the Catalan capital.
