And finally, there’s the unspoken question mark which hangs over Spain’s
near future. Despite being left aside for the duration of the campaign
it’s still there: the stubborn Catalan issue. At least in theory, there
will be a Catalan regional election in September which – if it finally
takes place – will be no ordinary vote. The Catalan government intends
to turn it into a referendum on independence,
no less, and if Sunday’s results are replicated then it may actually
win it. Much has been made of the fact that last Sunday the main
pro-independence party lost the city of Barcelona. That is certainly a
serious blow, but what few seem to have noticed is that the
pro-independence camp as a whole has increased its support substantially
and has effectively won the election in Catalonia.
Ada Colau speaks to supporters as she wins the municipal elections in
Barcelona. Her party, Barcelona En Comú, is a grassroots movement of
several leftist political parties, including Podemos, and thousands of
citizens. Photograph: Matthias Oesterle/Corbis
