Most Candidates Have Prior Institutional Experience
A new analysis by ARA reveals that three out of every four leading Catalan candidates in the upcoming 29 November general election have previously held public office. Of the 162 mainlist candidates examined across Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, and Lleida constituencies, 125 have served in some form of elected or governmental role.
Municipal Posts Most Common Pathway
Local government experience is the most frequent background, with 101 candidates, 62.3% of the total, having held at least one municipal position such as councillor or mayor. The Congress comes next, with 33 candidates having served there, followed by the Catalan Parliament (23), government roles (10), and the Senate (7). Only 37 candidates have no recorded institutional experience in the major bodies reviewed. These are distributed among PP, Comuns, and Vox (seven each), Junts and ERC (six each), and the PSC with four, fewest among the parties analysed.
Parties Show Distinct Profiles
ERC fields the highest number of candidates with municipal experience: 18 have served in local councils. The PP stands out for presenting eight former members of the Catalan Parliament seeking seats in the national Congress, a higher number than any other party. Nine of the 27 PSC candidates analysed have prior Congress experience, followed by Junts (seven) and ERC (five). Despite their strong municipal presence, ERC’s representation in Congress among lead candidates remains lower.
Multiple Roles Common Among Top Candidates
Thirty-seven candidates have held positions across two or more institutional levels. Fourteen have served in three or more spheres. Notable examples include Isidre Gavín (Junts, Lleida), who began as a 21-year-old MP and has since been a local councillor, national deputy, and government director; and Xavier García Albiol (PP, Barcelona), former mayor of Badalona, MP, and senator. Teresa Jordà (ERC, Girona) has served as mayor of Ripoll, minister (consellera), and deputy in both Parliament and Congress. Jordi Hereu (PSC, Barcelona) has been mayor of Barcelona, minister, and president of Hispasat.
The professionalization of politicians can lead them to prioritize the continuity of their career and the interests of the party above the public good, a fact that weakens accountability and distances them from the preferences of the citizenry.
, Professor Andreu Paneque, in Parliaments, Estates and Representation
Context: Career Politicians and Democratic Accountability
The findings reflect a broader trend in political science known as the professionalization of politics, where elected office becomes a lifelong career. The article cites Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who as a student in 1999 argued against political entrenchment, yet now at 47 has held office for 23 years. The data suggests similar patterns in Catalonia, raising questions about representation and proximity to citizens ahead of the 29 November vote.
Sources: Ara, El Nacional.
