A growing focus on immigration, crime and housing is reshaping politics in Catalonia, with the separatist Aliança Catalana gaining support ahead of the region’s 2028 election. The party, led by Silvia Orriols, is polling behind Spain’s ruling Socialists and has made restricting migration and improving public safety central to its message.

Aliança’s rise is creating divisions within the broader independence movement. Traditional pro-independence parties have ruled out governing agreements with the party, while some have adopted more conservative positions on migration. A July Catalan government survey found that the party was attracting voters who had previously supported both the separatist Junts and the anti-independence Vox.

The shift comes as voters’ priorities change. Affordable housing, migration and crime topped concerns in a July survey, while support for Catalan independence stood at 45%. Aliança’s support has risen from 3.8% to 16.7% in voter intentions, according to an El Mundo poll cited by Reuters, highlighting the changing political landscape ahead of the next regional election.

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