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54-526: Jordi Pujol CiU Pasqual Maragall PSC The 2003 Catalan regional election was held on Sunday, 16 November 2003, to elect the 7th Parliament of the autonomous community of Catalonia . All 135 seats in the Parliament were up for election. This election marked a change for all Catalan political parties due to Catalan president Jordi Pujol 's decision not to seek a seventh term in office and to retire from active politics. The election results were

108-421: A family inheritance or successful business practices. Ever since the 1984 bankruptcy of Banca Catalana, as well as in subsequent years, whenever corruption allegations were made against Pujol, his supporters claimed that the charges were politically motivated against Catalonia. The matter is still under investigation in 2017. In early September 2014, public opinion polls began to show a measurable impact of

162-658: A fortune in private businesses that frequently did business and received contracts from the Catalan government. Pujol's wife and children have investments in the tens of millions of dollars in Mexico, Panama and Argentina. Financial records show the movement of money between foreign banks in Andorra, Switzerland, Jersey, Cayman Islands and other tax havens in excess of €100 million. Critics, including Jordi Pujol Ferrusola's former girlfriend, charge that this family wealth could not be accumulated from

216-416: A great disappointment for Pasqual Maragall 's Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC), which again saw Convergence and Union (CiU) winning a plurality of seats despite them winning the most votes by a margin of just 0.3%. Opinion polls earlier in the year had predicted a much larger victory for Maragall, but his lead over CiU had begun to narrow as the election grew nearer. Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC)

270-452: A razor-thin victory in the popular vote, the first time since 1980 that the Convergence and Union (CiU) alliance of incumbent president Jordi Pujol did not come out in top of voters' preferences. However, as a result of the electoral system, CiU was able to retain first place in terms of seats, and together with the conservative People's Party (PP), secure a small majority of 68 seats in

324-532: A regional President within a two-month period from the first ballot, the Parliament was to be automatically dissolved and a fresh election called. In the 1999 election , and as a result of the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC)'s growth, the Catalan nationalist Convergence and Union (CiU) had lost the vote share in a regional election for the first time ever, but clung on to retain the largest amount of seats due to

378-422: Is a list of the main parties and electoral alliances which contested the election: The tables below list opinion polling results in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first and using the dates when the survey fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. Where the fieldwork dates are unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey

432-430: Is displayed with its background shaded in the leading party's colour. If a tie ensues, this is applied to the figures with the highest percentages. The "Lead" column on the right shows the percentage-point difference between the parties with the highest percentages in a poll. The table below lists weighted voting intention estimates. Refusals are generally excluded from the party vote percentages, while question wording and

486-404: The D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation , with an electoral threshold of three percent of valid votes—which included blank ballots—being applied in each constituency. Seats were allocated to constituencies, corresponding to the provinces of Barcelona , Girona , Lleida and Tarragona , with each being allocated a fixed number of seats: In smaller constituencies,

540-694: The German School of Barcelona and received a medical degree from the University of Barcelona . During his college years, he joined different activist groups that were seeking to rebuild the ideal Catalonia that the Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship had undermined. Among these organizations were Grup Torras i Bages (where he met other activists such as Jaume Carner or Joan Reventós ), Comissió Abat Oliva , Grup Pere Figuera or Cofradia de la Mare de Déu de Montserrat de Virtèlia . In 1960, in

594-572: The Spanish Constitution and the Catalan Statute of Autonomy , as well as the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from a regional president . Transitory Provision Fourth of the Statute established a specific electoral procedure for elections to the Parliament of Catalonia, of application for as long as a regional electoral law was not approved, to be supplemented by the provisions within

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648-610: The Spanish transition to democracy after Franco's death in November 1975. From 1977 to 1980, Pujol was Minister without portfolio in the Provisional government of Catalonia , presided by Josep Tarradellas . In 1977 he led Pacte Democràtic per Catalunya , a coalition of Catalan parties that were trying to approve the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia . In the Spanish general election of 1977 he

702-506: The interior ministry , coalitions and groupings of electors to present lists of candidates. Parties and federations intending to form a coalition ahead of an election were required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of the election call, whereas groupings of electors needed to secure the signature of at least one percent of the electorate in the constituencies for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list of candidates. Below

756-598: The national electoral law . Voting for the Parliament was on the basis of universal suffrage , which comprised all nationals over 18 years of age, registered in Catalonia and in full enjoyment of their political rights. The 135 members of the Parliament of Catalonia were elected using the D'Hondt method and a closed list proportional representation , with an electoral threshold of three percent of valid votes—which included blank ballots—being applied in each constituency. Seats were allocated to constituencies, corresponding to

810-411: The provinces of Barcelona , Girona , Lleida and Tarragona , with each being allocated a fixed number of seats: In smaller constituencies, the use of the electoral method resulted in an effective threshold based on the district magnitude and the distribution of votes among candidacies. The term of the Parliament of Catalonia expired four years after the date of its previous election, unless it

864-564: The PSC, ERC and ICV–EUiA resulted in a Catalan "tripartite" government. Thus, despite losing 10 seats and 150,000 votes compared to the 1999 election , Maragall became the first centre-left president of the Government of Catalonia, ending with 23 uninterrupted years of CiU rule. The Parliament of Catalonia was the devolved , unicameral legislature of the autonomous community of Catalonia , having legislative power in regional matters as defined by

918-499: The Parliament of Catalonia and call a snap election , provided that no motion of no confidence was in process and that dissolution did not occur before one year had elapsed since a previous one under this procedure. In the event of an investiture process failing to elect a regional President within a two-month period from the first ballot, the Parliament was to be automatically dissolved and a fresh election called. The electoral law allowed for parties and federations registered in

972-476: The Parliament of Catalonia, compared to the 67 garnered by the combined total of all three left-from-centre parties: the PSC, Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and Initiative for Catalonia–Greens (IC–V). The latter had recently split from its national referent, United Left (IU), which ahead of the election established a new regional branch, United and Alternative Left (EUiA), which failed to secure any parliamentary representation. The Parliament of Catalonia

1026-436: The Parliament of Catalonia, of application for as long as a regional electoral law was not approved, to be supplemented by the provisions within the national electoral law . Voting for the Parliament was on the basis of universal suffrage , which comprised all nationals over 18 years of age, registered in Catalonia and in full enjoyment of their political rights. The 135 members of the Parliament of Catalonia were elected using

1080-530: The Pujol family had collected illegal payments for government contracts habitually. In anticipation of the 11 September national holiday, the Diada, as well as the planned November 9 vote, the political strategies of the major parties are in flux. Pujol's old party has moved to a position of both welcoming (and limiting) his testimony in the Catalan parliament and reasserting that the critics are seeking political advantage from

1134-484: The Pujol scandals on Catalan politics and public opinion. According to a poll conducted by El Periódico, a Catalan newspaper, 55% of Catalan voters believe the scandals will negatively affect the "right to decide" on November 9. El País, a Madrid newspaper, likewise found in its polling that 54% of Catalans believe that the corruption scandals are having a negative effect on the independence movement. In addition, over 78% of those Catalans polled by El Periódico believed that

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1188-421: The Pujol scandals. On 5 September 2014 The Jordi Pujol Center for Studies announced its closing. The center had been the major focus of Pujol's work in retirement sponsoring different academic activities related to ethics and disseminating his political philosophy. The Catalan government and many private sources of income ended their affiliations and it was decided that it was no longer a viable entity in light of

1242-879: The age of 89 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for six years. In July 2014, Jordi Pujol released a note explaining that for 34 years, including 23 as the President of Catalonia, he had maintained secret foreign bank accounts inherited from his father. The note apologized for his actions and explained that the millions had been declared and taxes paid. The scandal erupted in the Spanish media as it involves allegations against many family members, including trafficking of influence, bribery, money laundering and public corruption. At this time, his sons Jordi and Oleguer Pujol Ferrusola are being investigated by tax authorities. Another son Oriol Pujol resigned from his leadership position in CiU earlier in

1296-406: The call. The previous election was held on 19 November 1995, which meant that the legislature's term would have expired on 19 November 1999. The election was required to be called no later than 4 November 1999, with it taking place on the sixtieth day from the call, setting the latest possible election date for the Parliament on Monday, 3 January 2000. The president had the prerogative to dissolve

1350-410: The composition of the parliamentary groups in the chamber at the time of dissolution. The electoral law allowed for parties and federations registered in the interior ministry , coalitions and groupings of electors to present lists of candidates. Parties and federations intending to form a coalition ahead of an election were required to inform the relevant Electoral Commission within ten days of

1404-494: The conflicted reaction of many Catalan nationalists, his personal friend Xavier Trias, the Mayor of Barcelona, lamented on Catalonia Radio "He must disappear...He failed us. It is a disaster that has taken place and the shadowy times of Pujol are finished while a new era begins." Perhaps no one is more deeply conflicted than current President Mas who has acknowledged that Pujol is his "political father" and has stated that "he does not know

1458-605: The course of an homage to Catalan poet Joan Maragall , held in Palau de la Música Catalana , part of the audience sang the Cant de la Senyera ( The Song of the Flag in English ) despite being previously prohibited by the Spanish authorities. Pujol was among those who organized this protest, and he was captured and detained for his protests against the regime of Francisco Franco . As a physician, Pujol

1512-493: The details and he is not interested in them either." The impact of the Pujol family scandals on the Catalan independence movement, the CIU party and Mas' political future remain to be seen. Pujol and his family have been suspected for many years of cashing in on the political power he amassed as a 23-year president of Catalonia. In 1984 his family's bank went bankrupt and was taken over by the Spanish government. His children have amassed

1566-685: The disproportionate allocation of seats in Girona, Lleida and Tarragona compared to Barcelona. Through to the support of the People's Party (PP), Jordi Pujol had been able to be re-elected to a sixth term in office with a slim majority of 68 to the 67 seats commanded by the left-from-centre opposition. Despite Pujol's personal approval ratings remaining high until the end of his term, speculation on his possible retirement (which he confirmed on 1 April 2001), internal disputes between Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC) and Democratic Union of Catalonia (UDC) over

1620-548: The dominant two-party system in Catalonia. Initiative for Catalonia Greens (ICV) and United and Alternative Left (EUiA) had run separately in the previous election, but ahead of the 2003 election joined within the ICV–EA coalition. The Parliament of Catalonia was officially dissolved on 23 September 2003, after the publication of the dissolution decree in the Official Journal of the Government of Catalonia. The table below shows

1674-427: The election call, whereas groupings of electors needed to secure the signature of at least one percent of the electorate in the constituencies for which they sought election, disallowing electors from signing for more than one list of candidates. Below is a list of the main parties and electoral alliances which contested the election: The tables below list opinion polling results in reverse chronological order, showing

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1728-520: The future of the alliance—which resulted in CiU being turned into a full-fledged party federation in order to ensure its continuity in the post-Pujol era—and a desire for change after 23 years in power had resulted in CiU trailing the PSC in opinion polls for the entire legislature, with a lead that was nearly into the double digits by mid-to-late 2002. From mid-2003, however, the Socialist lead had begun to narrow to

1782-420: The honorary title of founding chairman of CDC and CiU. The opposition parties from both left and right, nationalist and non-nationalist, have demanded he testify before the parliament. The main government allies in the Catalan parliament, Esquerra Republicana, have declared that they support stripping Pujol of all his honors. The Catalan government has declared this a "private matter" that will have no impact on

1836-474: The investigations. Through its public statements the party is trying to remain optimistic about holding the vote while at the same time recognizing that the planned consultation may be deemed unconstitutional by Spain's Constitutional court. While the difficulty of maintaining the sovereignty alliance, and the competing demands of legality and democracy, is undeniably challenging for President Mas, his political decision-making has become increasingly difficult due to

1890-432: The majority tendency in Catalan nationalism, which, instead of seeking a fully independent republic , intended to work towards a federalized Spain that would, according to Pujol, recognize Catalonia "as a country, as a collective with its own personality and differences," and a "guarantee that her own identity be respected". With the conservative People's Party opposing the Catalan Statute of Autonomy , however, as well as

1944-420: The month to face charges of public corruption as well. As a direct result of Pujol's admission on 29 July, Judge Pablo Ruz issued an indictment against Jordi Pujol Ferrusola and his wife for money laundering and tax evasion. On 29 July Catalan president Artur Mas , after a meeting with Pujol, announced that Pujol renounced both his salary and the office that he had been assigned as ex-president, as well as

1998-420: The most recent first and using the dates when the survey fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. Where the fieldwork dates are unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed with its background shaded in the leading party's colour. If a tie ensues, this is applied to the figures with the highest percentages. The "Lead" column on

2052-524: The movement for Catalan independence and the referendum scheduled for 9 November 2014. In announcing his resignation from all party offices, President Mas initially stated that Pujol would keep the right to be called "The Right Honorable" as a former president of Catalonia. Hours later the party spokesperson Francesc Homs stated that Pujol must "forfeit everything," including the Medalla de Oro of Catalunya and all honorifics previously awarded to him. Indicative of

2106-469: The perceived likelihood of victory for each party in the event of a regional election taking place. The table below lists opinion polling on leader preferences to become president of the Government of Catalonia . The table below lists opinion polling on the perceived likelihood for each leader to become president of the Government of Catalonia. Jordi Pujol Pujol was born in Barcelona , studied at

2160-438: The point that chances for a possible reenactment of the 1999 tight race remained high. The retirement of Pujol as CiU candidate paved the way for Artur Mas , the then chief minister ( Catalan : Conseller en cap ), to replace him as the culmination of a long successory process. Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) had been in an almost continuous growth since the 1988 election, becoming a political force able to pierce through

2214-496: The polling organisations are displayed below (or in place of) the percentages in a smaller font; 68 seats were required for an absolute majority in the Parliament of Catalonia .    Exit poll The table below lists raw, unweighted voting preferences. The table below lists opinion polling on the victory preferences for each party in the event of a regional election taking place. The table below lists opinion polling on

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2268-597: The recent surge of Catalan separatism that more people than ever want independence, "and they have the right to want it." He married Marta Ferrusola in Santa Maria de Montserrat in 1956. The couple had seven children. During COVID-19 pandemic in Spain , on 15 January 2021 Pujol and his wife Marta tested positive for COVID-19 and, without serious symptoms, they were confined to their home in Barcelona. Marta died on 8 July 2024 at

2322-419: The recognition for the language in the east of Aragon , Pujol has stated that, at least shortly before the Spanish transition to democracy , "there is more aggression towards Catalonia than ever", and that Catalans can "no longer hope for anything from the Spanish state". A lifelong federalist, Pujol has recently become very disenfranchised by the Spanish political arena. He also has recently stated, regarding

2376-419: The right shows the percentage-point difference between the parties with the highest percentages in a poll. The table below lists weighted voting intention estimates. Refusals are generally excluded from the party vote percentages, while question wording and the treatment of "don't know" responses and those not intending to vote may vary between polling organisations. When available, seat projections determined by

2430-451: The scandals. 1999 Catalan regional election Jordi Pujol CDC ( CiU ) Jordi Pujol CDC ( CiU ) The 1999 Catalan regional election was held on Sunday, 17 October 1999, to elect the 6th Parliament of the autonomous community of Catalonia . All 135 seats in the Parliament were up for election. The election saw the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC) under former Mayor of Barcelona Pasqual Maragall achieve

2484-444: The sixtieth day from the call, setting the latest possible election date for the Parliament on Monday, 1 December 2003. The president had the prerogative to dissolve the Parliament of Catalonia and call a snap election , provided that no motion of no confidence was in process and that dissolution did not occur before one year had elapsed since a previous one under this procedure. In the event of an investiture process failing to elect

2538-454: The use of the electoral method resulted in an effective threshold based on the district magnitude and the distribution of votes among candidacies. The term of the Parliament of Catalonia expired four years after the date of its previous election, unless it was dissolved earlier. The regional president was required to call an election fifteen days prior to the date of expiry of parliament, with election day taking place within sixty days after

2592-424: Was dissolved earlier. The regional president was required to call an election fifteen days prior to the date of expiry of parliament, with election day taking place within sixty days after the call. The previous election was held on 17 October 1999, which meant that the legislature's term would have expired on 17 October 2003. The election was required to be called no later than 2 October 2003, with it taking place on

2646-692: Was elected President of the Generalitat de Catalunya on 24 April 1980. He was reelected in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1995 and 1999. Pujol is a supporter of European integration . In 1985, he started a collaboration with Edgar Faure in the Council of the Regions of Europe (CRE), which would later become the Assembly of European Regions (AER). Pujol was the President of the Assembly of European Regions from 1992 to 1996. In 1996, he

2700-462: Was elected to the Spanish Congress of Deputies , representing Barcelona . Pujol was re-elected at the 1979 General Election but resigned from the parliament in 1980. On 20 March 1980, the first Parliament of Catalonia elections after Franco's regime were held. The Catalan nationalist party Convergència i Unió (coalition of CDC and Democratic Union of Catalonia ) won the elections and Pujol

2754-481: Was inventor of the antibiotic ointment Neobacitrin while working in the family-run laboratory Fides Cuatrecasas. The ointment went on to achieve great success and is still used today. In 1974, Pujol founded the political party called Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya (CDC) ( Democratic Convergence of Catalonia in English), of which he was the first Secretary. The political party was not legalized until 1977, during

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2808-655: Was made an officer of the National Order of Quebec for strengthening ties between Quebec and Catalonia. Pujol retired in 2003. He left leadership of the party (CDC) to Artur Mas . That year, he gave the Biblioteca de Catalunya a bibliographic collection of more than 16,000 documents from his presidency. During the last decades of the Franco regime and his 23 years as President of the Generalitat de Catalunya , Pujol leant towards

2862-413: Was perceived as the true victor of the election, doubling its 1999 figures and scoring its best result in its recent history up to that point, both in terms of seats (23 of 135) and votes (16.4%), up from 11 seats and 8.7%. As Pujol's successor Artur Mas did not win a majority large enough to renew his party pact with the People's Party (PP), which had kept Pujol in power since 1995, an alliance between

2916-408: Was the devolved , unicameral legislature of the autonomous community of Catalonia , having legislative power in regional matters as defined by the Spanish Constitution and the Catalan Statute of Autonomy , as well as the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from a regional president . Transitory Provision Fourth of the Statute established a specific electoral procedure for elections to

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