Salvador Illa has issued a stark warning about the threat posed by the far right to democratic coexistence.
The Catalan president used his annual Sant Esteve speech to call for a defence of shared values and public services.
Illa’s message marks a shift from last year’s focus on territorial fraternity.
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Now, he’s sounding the alarm. “What’s at stake in Europe today goes beyond a merely political question,” he said.
Democratic Coexistence Under Pressure Across Europe The president’s warning isn’t made in a vacuum. Recent elections in Extremadura saw Vox surge, holding the key to government formation.
Illa called for action “with humanity” to guarantee coexistence. He defined this humanity through concrete policies. “It means welcoming and integrating people who need it,” he explained.
The president’s speech also addressed housing as a right and social aid for those most in need. His call comes amid controversy over the eviction of the B9 building in Badalona.
“Without this humanity, without this solidarity, no country or society can be built,” Illa concluded.
A Call for Collective Action and Public Investment Illa positioned useful politics and responsible public policies as the antidote to xenophobic discourse. “We’ll make a better Catalonia for everyone,” he promised.
The president emphasised the need to invest public resources in the common good. He praised public servants, remembering firefighters who died in Santa Susanna and Paüls fires.
These servants faced numerous crises this year. They dealt with fires in Noguera, Segarra and Urgell. They managed floods in Terres de l’Ebre and outbreaks of animal diseases.
The president enters his second year of legislature with pending challenges. He needs to sign a financing agreement with ERC and attempt to pass his first budgets for 2026.
Illa didn’t reference these specific issues directly. However, he acknowledged that much work remains for 2026. “We have the will and commitment to do it,” he affirmed.
His full speech, reported by Ara Cat, frames democratic coexistence as the central political battle of our time.
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