PES congratulates the newly elected President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa

Giacomo Filibeck and Salvador Ilia

File photo: The newly elected President of the regional government of Catalonia Salvador Illa (second from the left), during a meeting with PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck (third from the left) in Brussels with Javi López Fernández, MEP (left) and Laura Ballarín Cereza, MEP (right).

The PES is delighted by the news from the Catalonian parliament that the leader of the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC-PSOE), Salvador Illa, was elected President of the Catalonia regional government. Illa will lead the socialist government in Catalonia after 14 years in opposition. PSC won the regional elections in May this year.

PES secretary general Giacomo Filibeck said:

“It’s a great pleasure for the PES to congratulate Salvador Illa and the Socialist Party of Catalonia  (PSC_PSOE) on their achievement. After the decisive victory at the elections earlier this year, it was high time for the socialists to come back in power in Catalonia and to steer the region back to equality, diversity, and mutual respect. I wish Salvador success at the helm of the Catalonian government.”

The PES supported Illa and the PSC during their election campaign and, alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, was among the first to congratulate Catalan Socialists on their May election victory. Salvador Illa visited the PES office in Brussels some days before the elections.

The PES looks forward to developing our excellent cooperation with the Socialists Party of Catalonia and Salvador Illa. PSC, now with regional President Salvador Illa alongside PSOE and the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are a guarantee for a constructive dialogue and the fair, democratic, just, and sustainable course for Spain and for Europe.