Junts demands explanations from Illa within two days over the looting in Barcelona

Junts gives the Generalitat two days to explain the looting of shops in Barcelona, with 128 arrests over the weekend. ERC joins the pressure on the Catalan Government.

The looting of shops in central Barcelona has sparked a strong political controversy in the midst of the campaign for the general elections on 29-N. The leader of Junts in Congress, Míriam Nogueras, has given Salvador Illa a deadline of two days to provide explanations. According to El Confidencial, the party blames the Generalitat for failing to prevent disturbances that, in their words, had been announced on social media for five days.

"Catalonia needs order and respect"

The events resulted in the assault of 23 shops in the city and 128 people arrested over the weekend. Despite this figure, Junts continues to insist on the matter. The origin of the looting is not political, but the electoral calendar has prompted all parties to speak out.

The Catalan PP has requested the appearance of the Minister of Interior, Núria Parlón, before the Parliament. For now, however, there is no confirmation that she will attend. If she does not do so within the set timeframe, Junts has warned that it will demand her resignation, although the party does not have enough majority to force dismissals in the Generalitat.

ERC has also raised the tone. Its spokesperson, Isaac Albert, has stated that the Generalitat and the Barcelona City Council "have not been up to the task" and has called for an immediate investigation. The republicans also demand that the Catalan Government be more proactive.

"We have seen images and events that required more attention"

The Mossos d'Esquadra are investigating whether the incidents are part of a so-called "hybrid attack", with a pattern similar to that seen in other European squares and imitating the disturbances in France. According to the investigation, the calls originated from TikTok and then moved to WhatsApp and Telegram groups.

For the residents of Barcelona, the immediate risk lies in the upcoming weekend: new looting is still being called for on social media for Saturday, October 31 in the Catalan capital. Shopkeepers in the city centre and the police deployment will be the first to notice any mobilization.

In May 2027, the municipal elections will be held, and Mayor Jaume Collboni has much at stake. The PSC faces a political challenge that goes beyond security in the centre.