The Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC) has appointed two General Union of Workers (UGT) militants as councillors in Ripoll, a municipality in the Girona province. This move resolves an internal party crisis and directly challenges the anti-immigration stance of the far-right Aliança Catalana, which governs the municipality. This strategic decision allows Aliança Catalana to approve its municipal budgets without facing a confidence vote, following a period of significant tension within the local PSC branch.
The appointments of Paco Morillo and Jorge Iglesias came after the local PSC branch was dissolved. This happened when two previous Socialist councillors abstained on a budget vote, allowing Ripoll Mayor Silvia Orriols of Aliança Catalana to pass her administration's financial plans. Mayor Orriols sarcastically called the situation a "masterstroke" in the Catalan Parliament.
The PSC faced a dilemma, needing to fill the vacant council seats. They aimed to avoid appointing "cuneros," a political term for candidates who lack local ties. Paco Morillo resides in Ripoll and previously served as a trade union representative for over two decades at Fibran Group before his retirement. He also coached futsal in Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses. Jorge Iglesias, born in Montevideo, is an immigrant and a long-standing trade unionist. He worked at Artigas Alimentaria as a representative and spent 18 years as the organisation secretary for UGT's territorial union in the Girona region. Iglesias has consistently supported immigration projects.
Challenging Far-Right Ideology
The selection of Iglesias, an immigrant and advocate for immigration support, directly counters the ideological platform of Aliança Catalana. This party is highly critical of migration and its social impact in Catalonia. The PSC stated that Morillo and Iglesias are "known and loved in Ripollès." They added that both have "always worked for diversity, inclusion, and progressive human values." The PSC in Girona tasked the new councillors with "emphasising PSC's commitment to Ripoll and the values of equality and democracy." These values, according to the party, resonate with all left-wing groups in the municipality.
The crisis in Ripoll exposed significant internal tensions within the PSC. The two abstaining councillors did not consult the party leadership before their decision. Salvador Illa, the PSC's First Secretary, had prioritised combating the far-right. However, the party's internal structure failed to oversee this crucial political arena. Socialist sources in Girona province indicate a feeling of abandonment by the party leadership for approximately one year.
Girona Leadership Focus
The responsibility for controlling the Ripoll situation fell to Alfons Jiménez, the PSC's organisation secretary in Girona. Jiménez is also the partner of Silvia Paneque, who serves as the Territory Councillor and spokesperson for the Generalitat, Catalonia's regional government. Sources suggest the Girona leadership's primary focus is on Paneque winning the mayoralty of Girona city in the upcoming municipal elections. This singular objective may have diverted attention from other strategic areas like Ripoll.
Silvia Paneque's Political Agenda
Elmon.cat reported on Silvia Paneque's extensive public appearances. Between August 2024 and the end of 2025, Paneque attended 242 events as a guest. Of these, 117 took place in the Barcelona area and 79 in Girona, representing 32% of her total engagements. This data suggests a concentrated effort on her part within the Girona region. All indications point to Paneque eventually stepping down from her Generalitat role to run for mayor. The UGT appointments in Ripoll may now allow her to pursue this goal with fewer distractions from internal party issues.
The appointments of Morillo and Iglesias aim to stabilise the PSC's presence in Ripoll and send a clear message against Aliança Catalana's policies. This move highlights the ongoing political struggle between mainstream parties and the far-right in Catalonia, with local council dynamics playing a critical role in broader regional strategies.
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Originally published by El Confidencial. Read original article.
