Felip Puig rules out near-term independence attempt

Felip Puig, a former minister in the Generalitat, Catalonia’s government, has said that another attempt to build an independent state could be made, but not in the short or medium term. He said Catalonia should first be rebuilt because it is “fractured”.

The remarks, made in an interview published by El Periódico on 16 August 2026, set out Puig’s personal preference for agreements and political reconstruction rather than a renewed immediate push for independence. For voters following the direction of Catalan parties, he argues that future policy and electoral alliances should include deals on major issues.

Puig calls for agreements with the PSC

Puig, who left active politics 10 years ago and now runs an urban-planning consultancy, has never been a member of Junts. He said the party created and led by Carles Puigdemont had moved away from Convergència’s political centre ground and its ambition to govern.

He said Junts should be an alternative to the PSC, which he identified as its principal rival, while also reaching agreements with it on important matters. Puig argued that political pacts are necessary for change, and criticised parties that remain in what he called maximalist positions.

Asked about the independence strategy, Puig set out his position in these terms:

“An attempt was made to build a state, but we had neither enough strength, nor intelligence, nor enough strategy to do so. It can be tried again, but not in the short or medium term, because the most important thing now is to rebuild the country, which is fractured.”

Former minister urges a change of generation

Puig described himself as a political pupil of former president Jordi Pujol. He opposed the dissolution of CDC and said he still keeps in contact with some people from the post-Convergència political space, although not with its leadership.

He said the period associated with the 1 October independence referendum should be brought to a dignified close through Puigdemont’s return and the restoration of his institutional standing. After that, Puig said, Puigdemont and other leaders should make way for a new generation, supported by some experienced figures.

Puig began his political career at Parets del Vallès town hall before joining the Generalitat. He was parliamentary spokesperson during the opposition to the three-party government from 2003 to 2007, and said the Convergència project returned to government in 2010.

Reported by emporda.info, Carlota Camps, Diari de Girona, EFE, lavanguardia.com, Acn, Casares Roca, Laia, Parlament, Josep Garriga, Guillem Sánchez, ikipedia.blackbriarcomputing.com, Unidad Editorial Internet, Parlament de Catalunya, Rebeca Carranco, L'Empordà.