Jaume Giró rules out running in Junts' primaries in Barcelona

BarcelonaNew turn in Junts' battle in Barcelona. Former minister Jaume Giró has formally ruled out running in Junts' primaries in Barcelona on the same day that another Junts member, deputy Pilar Calvo, has made her candidacy official. According to a document made public this Wednesday, which the ARA has accessed, Giró does not want to run in the primaries, among other things due to the distancing from the party's leadership: "I have no intention of submitting my candidacy for the Junts primaries for Barcelona City Council," he asserted. He added that this option has not been part of his "forecasts," "despite the requests and signs of encouragement" he has received from militants, sympathizers, and party cadres. "Support that I deeply appreciate, but which I have consistently declined," he pointed out.

In a brief note, Giró recalls that on September 4th he already presented "a voluntary resignation" from his seat as a deputy in Parliament and his position in the party's executive for reasons that "remain fully valid." Junts' direction since leaving the Catalan executive shared with ERC and the loss of political influence – unlike the pragmatism that Giró advocates – were among the reasons he cited. In any case, he does make it clear that he would like Junts to "articulate a solid candidacy, made up of prepared, competent, and responsible individuals, who serve the common good of Barcelona and respond to the interests of the country and its capital." But also that it "allows for the formation of a government that guarantees the prosperity of Barcelona and all its citizens" and that "supports the productive economy."

Calvo's move

At the same time, Junts deputy in Congress Pilar Calvo will indeed present herself as the candidate for mayor of the Catalan capital, as reported by RAC1 and confirmed by Europa Press. There are now four potential names for the primaries: as reported by ARA, in addition to the municipal leader, Jordi Martí, lawyer Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas and deputy and secretary of the Parliament's bureau Glòria Freixa are also finalizing their candidacies. Former minister Josep Maria Argimon is not currently in the running, according to consulted sources, even though he met with the general secretary, Jordi Turull.

The process kicks off next Monday with the constitution of the municipal territorial commission. From then on, 20% of endorsements from the membership will need to be collected (there are approximately a thousand members in Barcelona) and the vote will be organized. The results will be announced on the 21st of the same month. Once Martí announced his decision to run as Barcelona's mayoral candidate, the national spokesperson, Josep Rius, withdrew from the race, despite being the party's favorite in the eyes of the leadership in both Barcelona and Waterloo. The fact is that since then, and after the failure of bets such as Tatxo Benet, former president Artur Mas, or former minister Quim Forn, the party's highest body has opened the door to anyone who wishes to run in the primaries.

The national leadership has stated that it will maintain "neutrality" throughout the process, meaning it will not take sides with any candidate. Martí is presumed to have significant support within Junts' ranks in the city, due to his experience in Barcelona politics. He represents the more pragmatic style and is the natural heir to former mayor Xavier Trias, but the eventual presentation of several pragmatic candidacies generates added uncertainty.

In 2023, with Trias at the helm, Junts won the elections in Barcelona, obtaining 11 councilors, although they were insufficient to be invested. Now, however, polls point to a different reality and predict a more modest result.