Catalonian Separatist Party Backs Socialists in Regional Government Bid

Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has provisionally agreed to support Spain's Socialists in forming a regional government in northeastern Catalonia. This initial agreement will be confirmed by an internal party vote on Friday. The Socialists, led by Salvador Illa, had the most votes but didn't achieve a majority in May's regional election.

In a pivotal move, moderate separatist party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has given preliminary approval to support Spain's Socialists in establishing a regional government in Catalonia, party spokesperson Raquel Sans announced on Monday.

This critical decision will be confirmed through a binding internal party vote set for Friday. ERC's backing is essential for the Socialists, who emerged as the leading party in May's regional elections but fell short of securing a majority.

The Socialists, under the leadership of Salvador Illa, secured 42 out of the 135 seats in Catalonia's regional chamber. Their typical coalition partner, the far-left Sumar alliance, earned six seats, while ERC captured 20. To form a government, a coalition needs 68 seats in the initial round of voting and a simple majority in the second.