Problems in Junts: They Ask for Financial Help to Pay for the Campaign

Problems are piling up for Carles Puigdemont's party. The decision by the Central Electoral Board to grant 100% of the electoral rights to PDeCAT has left Junts without a penny for the electoral campaign. Just days before the elections, the post-convergents are now asking for financial help to cover expenses.

The party's finance department has sent a letter to the party's candidates and officials. Laura Borràs's and Jordi Turull's party is requesting financial contributions in the form of loans. The goal is to help finance Míriam Nogueras's campaign for the general elections on July 23.

Between 5,000 and 10,000 Euros

The letter warns of the difficulties the party is facing after the blow from the Central Electoral Board. It also reminds how important this campaign is for the pro-independence group.

For all these reasons, it requests minimum contributions of 5,000 euros from the general candidates and 10,000 from those with a higher chance of being elected. This would include the top four candidates for Barcelona, the top two for Gerona, and the top one for Lérida and Tarragona. The party promises to repay them with the subsidies set by the electoral law based on the results.

The party officials have also received a letter asking for financial effort, although without specifying amounts. The request has been extended to the membership, with loans to be repaid with an interest of 4%.

No Money in the Coffers

It should be remembered that the electoral law establishes subsidies for parties based on electoral results. But these aids are collected after the elections. And Junts, which is still recovering from the municipal expenses, has run out of money in the coffers.

The origin of the problem lies in the fact that Junts and PDeCAT ran together in the last general elections. They did so under the Junts per Catalunya platform and then separated. Both parties claimed the electoral subsidies, so they went to court.

Initially, 50% was granted to both formations, but the Central Electoral Board has given 100% to PDeCAT.

In any case, the Junts members already had to ask for donations to finance the regional campaign in February 2021. A setback on July 23 could further complicate things for Laura Borràs's and Jordi Turull's party. It is clear that in these elections they are playing for more than just a few seats.