In October 2022, some turned up their noses when Pere Aragonès decided against a vice presidency in the monochrome government he designed after Junts' departure. There were many who, within Esquerra and in Parliament, took it for granted that the holder of the presidential portfolio, Laura Vilagrà (Santpedor, Barcelona, , 47 years old), would take this place. The award for the previous Swiss army knife of the Catalan executive had to wait 15 months and from now on the political scientist and master in public management is the government's official number two. It is a movement that should not be understood in terms of succession and that seeks to sell solidity for the last year of the legislative period and to indicate the path of dialogue with the government.
Even since the ERC and Junts agreed on the initial distribution of portfolios in 2021, the extent of powers resulting from the normally unwelcome portfolio of the presidency was surprising. Something that increased significantly with the need to adapt to the reality of single government in the following year. In addition to institutional relations, legal, media secretariat and sports, Vilagrà had to assume responsibility for public service, digital transformation and religious affairs after Junts' departure. Hence the surprise, because taking over a department of already fat size did not open the door for her to become the third woman to become vice president of the Generalitat.
In October 2022, Vilagrà downplayed this increase in workload in an informal conversation with journalists. She confessed that her love of swimming – she practices it every day – gives her the tools and endorphins she needs to accomplish what has been entrusted to her and make it compatible with life as a mother of two girls. There is almost unanimous recognition within the party for his career, which they say began “in the Republican youth” and had roots in local politics and management. After studying political science at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, he began working in the ERC at the age of 22, despite coming from a traditionally convergent family.
From 1999 to 2003 she was a member of the opposition in the city council of Santpedor and from then until 2015 she was its mayor, a position that she combined with her work as a member of parliament. After completing his master's degree at Esade, he headed the Bages Regional Council. It was Oriol Junqueras himself, the president of the party, who informed him that he would be at the top of the electoral lists; his technical profile and experience were useful in a party that aimed to show itself as a credible manager. As the official face of relations with the central government – his duties include leading the representation of the Bilateral Commission – he moved to the center of the legislative branch and gained political weight, eventually reaching the office of vice president.
Vilagrà had to deal with some of the most sensitive issues during the legislative period. For example, leading with his counterpart in the central government, Félix Bolaños, in serious moments such as the confirmation that Aragonès had been one of those who spied on the Pegasus software, thanks to a court order. Or criticize the agreement with Junts to delegate immigration powers. Also on the list is the management of the frustrated candidacy for the Winter Olympics (it failed due to the lack of agreement with the government of Aragon), the fiasco due to the chaos in the oppositions in May last year (13,500 people had made it). re-examination) and budget negotiations in parliament.
Party sources explain that the movement has no succession component and they accept that it is “late”. After the departure of Junts, they explain, the strategy was to focus entirely on an Aragonès that would be criticized by the extreme minority in which it finds itself. The change that caused movement in education and climate protection last June should be limited as much as possible. The moment is different and now the enthronement of Vilagrà fits into the idea of conveying a strength that continues to be questioned by the opposition. It is also a gesture towards La Moncloa, which sees its official interlocutor – the details will be passed on to other ERC cadres – finally recognized.
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