Illa will have to spend two weeks in the hospital due to the loss of muscle strength in his legs.

BarcelonaThe President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, is hospitalized at Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, ​​where he was transferred this Saturday due to muscle weakness and pain in his legs. The medical team treating him has not yet been able to determine the cause of his condition, but anticipates that he will need to remain hospitalized for at least two weeks for intensive rehabilitation, during which time he will be absent from public duties. For the moment, more serious conditions such as a stroke or a tumor have been ruled out, and doctors suspect an inflammatory cause, the nature of which is yet to be determined. Illa arrived at Vall d'Hebron by ambulance after experiencing weakness in the muscles of his lower extremities and suffering from motor deficits and an acute condition that makes walking difficult. He is currently in the intensive care unit and is expected to be moved to a regular ward on Monday, specifically to the spinal cord injury unit. During his leave of absence, the Minister of the Presidency, Albert Dalmau, will assume the duties of President.

Details of the president's health, stating that he is "stable" and "in good spirits," were given at a press conference by his medical team, led by the managing director of Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Dr. Albert Salazar. In a message to X, the head of the Catalan government confirmed that he is in good condition and indicated that he will undergo a few days of "tests and recovery." "I want to thank all the healthcare staff at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital for their care and great professionalism," he said, also expressing his gratitude for the messages of support he has received in recent hours.

Once he is transferred to a regular ward, the Catalan president will begin rehabilitation with morning and afternoon sessions, while further tests are carried out. Based on the tests performed so far, a spinal cord ischemic injury has also been ruled out. Initially, the Presidency reported that he was suffering from a "muscle injury" for which he was undergoing tests, and that it had occurred after exercising in the morning. The pain worsened, leading Isla to cancel his schedule after an official visit to Ascó. From there, he went to the hospital. The medical team has reported that the president began experiencing the first symptoms early Saturday morning, before going for a run.

Tests already performed

Once at Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Isla underwent a CT angiogram and an MRI, following the standard emergency department protocol for the symptoms he was experiencing. A scan was performed to examine the vascular system from his brain to his legs to look for any underlying pathologies that could be causing these symptoms. These tests ruled out "any serious probable causes or pathologies that would have required immediate intervention" and that would have put his life at risk, as Salazar explained. He was accompanied by the Head of the Neurology Department, Patricia Pozo; the Clinical Director of the Diagnostic Department, Manel Escobar; and the Head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Judith Sánchez-Raya. In addition, the president underwent an MRI to examine his spine and vertebrae. The first scan was performed on Saturday, and a second one on Sunday, twelve hours later. In both cases, it was concluded that the president's condition "is within normal limits." According to the doctors, Isla "had a good night and a good day," and is progressing favorably. They also stated that he began drinking water and eating on Sunday and that "he is doing well." The doctors explained that a hospital stay of at least fifteen days is the standard procedure for any patient arriving at the hospital with these symptoms. The goal now is to determine "the origin of the pain and muscle weakness," Escobar emphasized. They explained that this is not the first time Vall d'Hebron has encountered a case like this, although it is not the most common. Salazar asked for "respect" for Isla's privacy and announced that the hospital will provide daily updates on his condition and progress through press releases and, if necessary, another press conference. The decision to hold this press conference came directly from the Catalan president.

The political implications

Dalmau will assume the duties of the presidency at Isla's request, following the legal provisions for such cases. The minister was also at Vall d'Hebron Hospital this Sunday, along with the president's closest team and the Minister of Health, Olga Pané. Dalmau explained that Illa's schedule will continue "as normal, delegated among the various ministers." "The government continues to function correctly and normally, with me personally entrusted with the duties of the office as head of the Department of the Presidency," he emphasized, regarding an appointment that will be published in the Official Gazette of Catalonia (DOGC) this Monday. Dalmau's appointment is made in accordance with Article 6 of the Law of the Presidency of the Generalitat, which specifies that "in the event of the president's absence, illness, or incapacity, the first minister or the vice president, if appointed, shall act as substitute; otherwise, the person who happens to occupy the first position in the order of protocol shall act as substitute." The minister will inform Illa "daily," but also stressed that he needs to undergo rehabilitation, however much he would like to return to work. Those close to the president have highlighted Illa's reluctance to stop making calls and continue working while he has been in the hospital. Dalmau has informed both the Speaker of the Parliament, Josep Rull, and the leader of Junts in Parliament, Mònica Sales, as the top representative of the leading opposition parliamentary group, about the Catalan president's condition. He has also called the investiture partners, ERC and Comuns. Several political leaders, both Catalan and Spanish, have sent him their best wishes and hoped for a speedy recovery. One of them was the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, a friend and fellow party member. "I know of your perseverance and strength. I am sure this is just a short break and you will soon be back. Stay strong, my friend," he said.