Far-right Aliança Catalana’s rise reshapes Catalan independence debate amid immigration worries

Aliança Catalana, a far-right separatist group headed by Silvia Orriols, is rapidly gaining electoral traction, now positioned just behind Spain’s ruling Socialists in polls for the 2028 Catalan election. The party’s appeal stems from rural, working- and middle-class voters who are increasingly concerned about immigration and crime, pushing the independence agenda toward cultural and security issues. Polls show its support rising from 3.8% to 16.7%, surpassing ERC and attracting former Junts and even Vox backers, according to a July Catalan government survey.

Orriols, a former librarian from a farming family, frames the surge as a defense of Catalan identity and cites European far-right successes as inspiration. Traditional pro-independence parties have ruled out governing with Aliança, though some are softening their migration policies to counter its appeal. Tensions erupted recently when riot police broke up violent confrontations between Aliança supporters and left-wing separatists during the September 11 national day events, underscoring the growing split within the movement.