Pro-independence forces in Spain’s Catalonia region will likely remain in power after February regional elections, but they are unlikely to achieve their secessionist goals in the near-to-medium term. Nonetheless, Catalonia’s persistent push for independence will risk eventually undermining its own political and economic stability, as well as that of Spain’s. It could also stoke a nationalist backlash in other parts of the country. Catalonia will hold an early regional election on Feb. 14, though the vote could be postponed depending on the evolution of Spain’s COVID-19 epidemic. Opinion polls suggest that secessionist forces, which include the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and Together for Catalonia (JxCat) will win enough seats in the Catalan parliament to form a government. Both parties were involved in the illegal referendum and the 2017 unilateral declaration of independence, and some of their leaders are in jail while others have fled the country to avoid arrest. ...
