Resignation submitted ahead of ministerial approval
Carlos Prieto has formally resigned as the Spanish Government's delegate in Catalonia, submitting his resignation by letter on Thursday 15 October 2026. The decision was made to comply with legal incompatibility rules after his inclusion on the PSC (Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya) candidate list for the upcoming general election on 29 November. His resignation is set to be officially approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Delegació del Govern a Catalunya confirmed the move, stating that Prieto communicated his decision directly to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres.
PSC candidacy secures congressional seat
Prieto will stand as seventh on the PSC list for Barcelona, behind minister Jordi Hereu, who leads the ticket. The PSC’s national council has already ratified the candidate lists for the 29-N election. Given the party’s projected support, occupying the seventh position makes Prieto’s election to Congress highly likely. Political analysts and opposition figures have interpreted Prieto’s resignation as a strategic move to safeguard his public income. With uncertainty over whether the PSOE-led bloc will retain executive power after the November election, stepping down now ensures he maintains a parliamentary salary even if the coalition fails to govern.
The resignation reflects institutional protocol, as holding a high-ranking state office is incompatible with active candidacy in a general election.
Prieto has served as government delegate since March 2023, representing the central Spanish administration in Catalonia. He succeeded Maria Eugènia as head of the regional delegation, overseeing state functions including security coordination, intergovernmental relations, and enforcement of national policy.
Next steps
Once the Council of Ministers formally approves his departure, an interim delegate will be appointed until the new government is formed following the 29 November vote. The role carries significant authority in Catalonia, acting as the central government’s chief representative in the autonomous community.
Reported by larepublica.cat, ground.news, THE OBJECTIVE @TheObjective_es, naciodigital.cat, efe.com, lavanguardia.com, elnacional.cat, Newsroom Infobae, Marina Segura i Vidal, capitolab.es, David Expósito J.
