--- type: politician_profile lang: en canonical: https://www.politicaelectoral.com/en/spain/politicians/oriol-junqueras nombre: Oriol Junqueras i Vies partido: erc generado: 2026-05-02T21:43:46 data_crc: 5da33eb2 --- Oriol Junqueras i Vies is the **president of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC)** and one of the most influential figures in Catalan politics. Born in **1969**, he has combined academic work, institutional office and pro-independence leadership. ## Political career Oriol Junqueras was born in Barcelona in 1969 and built an early profile as a historian and university lecturer before entering frontline politics. He studied **history** at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and later became known for his research and teaching, particularly on early modern and modern European history. His academic background gave him a reputation as a detail-oriented, intellectually grounded political actor, with strong communication skills and a preference for historical arguments in public debate. He entered politics through **Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC)**, the Catalan left-republican and pro-independence party. Junqueras gradually rose through the organisation and became one of its most prominent public faces during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In **2009**, he was elected **Member of the European Parliament** and served until **2012**. That period gave him international visibility and allowed him to present the Catalan independence cause in a European institutional setting. In **2011**, he became **President of ERC**, a position he still holds. Under his leadership, ERC moved from being a traditionally important but often secondary force in Catalan politics to one of the central actors in the independence bloc, with Junqueras increasingly seen as the party’s principal strategist and ideological reference point. He later took on executive government responsibilities in Catalonia, serving as **Vice-President of the Government of Catalonia** from **2016 to 2017**. This was a pivotal period in the development of the independence process, as ERC participated in the Catalan coalition government during the escalation towards the **2017 unilateral independence referendum**. Junqueras was one of the senior institutional figures associated with that process. His political trajectory has been marked by a combination of parliamentary work, party leadership and high-profile participation in the Catalan self-determination debate. His influence has extended well beyond formal office because of his role in shaping ERC’s strategy and its positioning within Catalan nationalism. ## Relationship with the public Junqueras has cultivated an image of a **serious, methodical and articulate** political leader. Among ERC supporters and sections of the pro-independence electorate, he is often seen as a persuasive communicator who can link democratic arguments with historical and ethical narratives. His academic background and measured speaking style have helped him appeal to voters who prefer arguments based on institutions, legitimacy and civic mobilisation rather than confrontation. He has also been a significant presence in the media, especially during the most intense years of the Catalan independence conflict. Junqueras is frequently described as one of the movement’s most recognisable leaders, and his public visibility increased further during the judicial aftermath of the 2017 events. For many sympathisers, he became a symbol of political resistance; for critics, he represented the institutionalisation of a unilateral independence strategy. His relationship with civil society is closely tied to the broader Catalan pro-independence ecosystem, including grassroots mobilisation, cultural nationalism and civic organisations. At the same time, he has generally projected a more institutional and pragmatic style than some other figures in the movement, which has sometimes allowed him to speak both to committed independence supporters and to more moderate voters. ## Positions and political profile Junqueras is identified above all with **Catalan independence**, republicanism and a socially progressive left-wing agenda. Within ERC, he has been central to the party’s modern repositioning as a major force combining **self-determination**, social democracy and anti-corruption rhetoric. His political style is often described as pragmatic but firmly pro-sovereignty. He has defended the right of Catalans to decide their political future and has argued that independence should be pursued through democratic legitimacy, electoral mandates and institutional strength. At the same time, his party has often tried to balance the independence objective with day-to-day governance, especially when ERC has held leverage in Catalan or Spanish parliamentary politics. Key defining moments include his rise to the leadership of ERC, his role in the Catalan government during the peak of the independence process, and the judicial consequences that followed the events of 2017. One of the most consequential elements of his public career was his conviction in the **2019 Catalonia independence case (“Procés” case)**: the **Supreme Court** ratified a **sentence of 13 years’ imprisonment and disqualification for sedition and misuse of public funds** linked to the organisation of the 2017 referendum and related acts in public office. This conviction has remained central to his political biography and to how he is viewed by supporters and opponents alike. Inside ERC, Junqueras is widely seen as the party’s **principal intellectual and strategic anchor**, although his leadership has also been associated with internal debates about tactical flexibility, negotiations with other parties and the balance between principle and incremental gains. Outside the party, perceptions are more polarised: admirers view him as disciplined, erudite and committed to democratic self-determination; detractors see him as a key architect of institutional confrontation during the independence crisis. ## Frequently asked questions **Who is Oriol Junqueras?** Oriol Junqueras is a Catalan politician and historian who leads Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and has been one of the most prominent figures in the Catalan independence movement. **What is Oriol Junqueras’ current role?** He is the **President of ERC**, a position he has held since **2011**. **What offices has he held?** He was **Vice-President of the Government of Catalonia** from **2016 to 2017** and served as a **Member of the European Parliament** from **2009 to 2012**. **What is Oriol Junqueras known for politically?** He is known for supporting **Catalan independence**, defending the right to self-determination and promoting ERC as a left-wing, republican and pro-sovereignty party. **Was Oriol Junqueras convicted by the courts?** Yes. In the **Procés case**, the Spanish Supreme Court ratified a **13-year prison sentence and disqualification** for **sedition and misuse of public funds** linked to the 2017 Catalan independence referendum and related actions in public office. **How is Oriol Junqueras perceived in Catalonia?** He is generally seen as one of the most influential and intelligent leaders in Catalan politics, though public opinion is sharply divided between supporters of independence and opponents of unilateral secession.