On the very day of the regional elections in Catalonia, copper thieves largely paralyzed the categorical practice within the better Barcelona space. Virtually your complete community in Barcelona and the encompassing space was affected, mentioned rail operator Adif. The reason being that unknown folks stole copper cables. This resulted in an overload of the ability grid with quite a few cable fires.
In the meantime, tensions rose on Sunday earlier than voting closed at 8 p.m. As reported, separatist chief Carles Puigdemont, who has been dwelling in exile in Belgium for nearly seven years, is looking for a return to Catalan politics. As a result of there’s nonetheless an arrest warrant towards him in Spain, he carried out his election marketing campaign from the south of France.
Learn extra: Election in Catalonia – an exile hopes to return (OÖN plus)
Puigdemont additionally used the outage of the S-Bahn in Barcelona on Sunday to criticize the central authorities, which is liable for the trains. The Spanish politicians needed to handle Catalonia just like the railways and go away the Catalans to their destiny, he complained. In keeping with surveys, his liberal-conservative separatist get together Junts can hope for second place.
Earlier than the election closed, Catalonia’s Socialists underneath Salvador Illa had been the favorites for first place. They reject secession from Spain. The Socialists had already reached first place within the 2021 election, however had been unable to kind a coalition.
The present incumbent Pere Aragones from the center-left separatist get together ERC was elected regional president on the time, and this time it ranked third within the polls.
