New blow from Orriols to Puigdemont: the municipal group of Junts in Cambrils (Tarragona) is integrated into Aliança Catalana

A new blow to Carles Puigdemont’s political standing has emerged as the municipal leader of Junts in Cambrils, Tarragona, officially joins Aliança Catalana. The move marks another step in the shifting landscape of Catalan nationalism, with Aliança Catalana gaining ground against Junts per Catalunya ahead of the 2027 local elections. Enric Daza, who previously served as the spokesperson for Junts in Cambrils, will now lead the Aliança Catalana slate in the upcoming municipal elections. This transition was finalized after weeks of internal discussions among local groups, with key involvement from Oriol Gós, the organization secretary of Aliança Catalana, and accelerated just ten days ago. The integration of the entire Junts municipal group into Aliança Catalana includes not only Daza but also two other councilors, Laura Mellau and Teresa Recasens, who have joined the new formation. As a result, the group will operate under the Aliança Catalana banner starting immediately, even though they were originally registered as “Compromís per Cambrils.” Despite this technicality, the group has used the Junts brand during their campaign and subsequent activities. Daza explained his decision in public statements, emphasizing a shared reflection among individuals committed to municipalism and deeply connected to their community. He outlined the need to recover leadership, ambition, and management skills, while focusing on improving security, commerce, tourism, and overall civic well-being. This shift comes amid growing tensions within Junts, which has been struggling with declining support and internal divisions. A recent poll suggests that Junts could lose more than half its voter base, with nearly 30 percent potentially switching to Aliança Catalana. One Junts official admitted to concerns over these figures, noting the potential impact of the latest survey showing that the party would retain only half of its May 2024 autonomy election supporters, with 28 percent moving toward Aliança Catalana. Another insider expressed worry about the broader implications of these trends, including uncertainty surrounding the European Court of Justice's ruling on Catalonia’s independence bid, which could further destabilize the party. The defection of Daza and his colleagues follows a previous controversy in Cambrils, where Daza was expelled from the municipal government by former mayor Alfredo Clèria (PSC) in early 2025 due to alleged disrespectful behavior and disputes. While Clèria expelled Daza, he did not remove the other two councilors, who subsequently left the executive team three days later. Since then, the town has been governed by Oliver Klein of Nou Moviment Ciutadà, following Clèria’s resignation shortly after Junts left the administration and his decision to remain as a councilor. The ongoing realignment reflects a broader trend in Catalan politics, with Aliança Catalana positioning itself as a stronger alternative to Junts per Catalunya. With each defection and strategic alliance, the movement gains momentum, challenging the traditional dominance of pro-independence parties. Meanwhile, Junts faces mounting pressure to adapt its messaging and leadership structure to counter the rising influence of its rivals. As the 2027 elections approach, the political landscape in Catalonia continues to evolve, driven by shifting alliances and evolving voter preferences.