End of Jaume Giró’s stage in Junts per Catalunya. The former Minister of Economy of the Generalitat has announced his decision to leave the party, after months away from decision-making. The break is the latest chapter in a distancing that began to brew in October 2022, when Junts decided to leave the coalition government led by Pere Aragonès (ERC). Giró was in charge of the Economy department and showed his opposition to the decision encouraged by the party leadership and later validated by the membership in an internal consultation.
Giró, who entered politics after having been general director of La Caixa and having had a professional career as an executive at Repsol and Gas Natural, embodied the most pragmatic sector within Junts. His departure, first reported by Nació and confirmed by the party, leaves an internal current, minority but present, in Junts without a voice. He publicly advocated several times for following a pact-based strategy that would give Junts more presence in positions of power.
The pro-independence party is not in the government of any of the four Catalan capitals, its main strongholds are medium-sized cities such as Sant Cugat del Vallès, Vic, or Figueres, and within the party there is the idea that gaining influence should be prioritized. Giró defended exploring agreements with the PSC if necessary, a true red line for the leadership commanded by Carles Puigdemont and Jordi Turull.
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A year ago, Giró announced that he was resigning from his position in the Executive of Junts per Catalunya and also from his seat in the Parliament. In a statement, he argued that “the current orientations of the party do not coincide with my way of understanding politics that I believe the country needs and deserves today.”
In recent months, the former minister’s name was mentioned as a possible candidate to lead the Junts list in Barcelona for next year’s municipal elections. Turull and Giró, despite having a very cold relationship, agreed to meet to discuss the matter. The secretary general opened the door for him to run in the primary process activated by the party to decide the lead candidate. Giró did not take the step, nor did he accept the proposal made by Jordi Martí Galbis, the mayoral candidate, to join his list in the top positions.
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