Embattled PSC avoids primary fight in Catalonia

Meritxell Batet Ileft) and Carles Martí avoid primary fight for PSC in Catalonia. Photo: Julio Carbo / El Periódico
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• Former deputy & PSOE executive committee member to lead PSC election slate
• PSOE gives nod to more autonomy, Catalan ‘nation’ status in advance of 26-J

The Catalan Socialist Party (PSC-PSOE) will head into its campaign for the 26th June general elections (26-J) with Meritxell Batet at the top of the regional slate, avoiding what might have been a bruising primary battle when ex-Senator Carles Marti agreed Wednesday to withdraw his challenge for the top spot on the ticket.

A traditionally important regional pillar of PSOE support nationwide, in the upcoming elections the PSC hopes to staunch what has been a virtual hemorrhaging of voter support in a Catalonia in the midst of increased political polarization spurred by the independence debate — over the past eight years, the PSC has seen its representation in Congress plummet from 25 seats in 2008 to 14 in 2011 and then just eight seats after December 2015 general elections.

On Wednesday, the PSOE national executive appeared to be paving the way for an election campaign in Catalonia with a statement indicating the party favors greater autonomy for Spanish regions and would enable Catalans to refer to themselves as a “nation” within the Spanish State, a move that would please those voters and factions within the PSC who favor greater autonomy and have a strong Catalan identity, but do not favor Catalonia declaring its independence from Spain.

► Read More in Spanish at El Periódico and El País …

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