Joan Ignasi Elena

Joan Ignasi Elena i Garcia (born 27 June 1968) is a Spanish lawyer and politician from Catalonia, former member of the Parliament of Catalonia and the current Minister of the Interior of Catalonia.

In this Catalan name, the first or paternal surname is Elena and the second or maternal family name is Garcia; both are generally joined by the conjunction "i".
The Honourable
Joan Ignasi Elena
Elena in May 2021
Minister of the Interior of Catalonia
Assumed office
26 May 2021
PresidentPere Aragonès
Preceded byMiquel Sàmper
Member of the Parliament of Catalonia
In office
17 December 2012 – 30 September 2014
Succeeded bySergi Vilamala i Bastarras
ConstituencyBarcelona
In office
28 February 1994 – 26 September 1995
Preceded byAntoni Castells
ConstituencyBarcelona
Mayor of Vilanova i la Geltrú
In office
14 July 2005 – 11 June 2011
Preceded bySixte Moral i Reixach
Succeeded byNeus Lloveras i Massana
Member of Vilanova i la Geltrú Municipal Council
In office
1999–2011
Personal details
Born
Joan Ignasi Elena i Garcia

(1968-06-27) 27 June 1968
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
CitizenshipSpanish
Political partyAvancem
Alma materUniversity of Barcelona
OccupationLawyer

Early life

Elena was born on 27 June 1968 in Barcelona, Catalonia.[1][2] He has a degree in law from the University of Barcelona.[1] He joined the Socialist Youth of Catalonia (Joventut Socialista de Catalunya) in 1983 and was its first secretary from 1991 to 1993.[1][3] He joined the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC) in 1986 and was a youth councillor in Horta-Guinardó from 1987 to 1991.[1]

Career

Elena is a lawyer specialising in employment and copyright law.[3][4]

At the 1992 regional election Elena was placed 30th on PSC's list of candidates in the Province of Barcelona but the party only managed to win 27 seats in the province and as a result he failed to get elected.[5][6] However, in February 1994, he was appointed to the Parliament of Catalonia following the resignation of Antoni Castells.[7] At the 1995 regional election he was placed 30th on PSC's list of candidates in the Province of Barcelona but the party only managed to win 22 seats in the province and as a result he failed to get re-elected.[8][9] At the 1999 regional election Elena was placed 39th on the Socialists' Party of Catalonia-Citizens for Change electoral alliance's list of candidates in the Province of Barcelona but the party only managed to win 36 seats in the province and as a result he failed to get elected.[10][11]

Elena contested the 1999 local elections as a Socialists' Party of Catalonia–Municipal Progress electoral alliance candidate in Vilanova i la Geltrú and was elected.[12][13] He was re-elected at the 2003 local elections.[14][15] He succeeded Sixte Moral i Reixach as Mayor of Vilanova i la Geltrú in 2005.[3] He was re-elected at the 2007 local elections.[16][17]

At the PSC's 12th congress in December 2011 Elena ran for the leadership of the party but was resoundingly defeated by Pere Navarro, receiving 187 votes (25%) to Navarro's 545 votes (73%).[18] In June 2012 Elena and other PSC members supportive of a referendum in Catalan independence formed Avancem.[19][20] Elena contested the 2012 regional election as PSC candidate in the Province of Barcelona and was elected to the Parliament of Catalonia.[21][22] In January 2013 five PSC MPs (Elena, Marina Geli, Rocío Martínez-Sampere, Àngel Ros and Núria Ventura) did not vote on the Parliamentary Catalan Declaration of Sovereignty, going against party policy to oppose the declaration.[23][24]

In January 2014 Elena, Geli and Ventura went against PSC policy and supported a motion in the Parliament of Catalonia asking the Congress of Deputies for the power to hold a consultation on the possibility of Catalan independence.[25][26] The party leadership requested the three dissident MPs to resign from Parliament.[27][28] The trio were stripped of the party positions in Parliament and relegated to backbenchers.[29][30] Elena resigned from the Socialists Group in Parliament in July 2014 and in September 2014 joined the Mixed Group.[31][32] He resigned from Parliament in September 2014.[33] Avancem formally split from PSC in June 2014 and started discussions with New Catalan Left about forming an alliance but these discussions collapsed in November 2014.[34][35]

In December 2016, the Government of Catalonia established the National Pact for the Referendum (Pacte Nacional pel Referèndum) to bring together those who favoured holding a referendum on Catalan independence in agreement with the Spanish state.[2] Elena was appointed chair of the organisation.[4][36] In March 2017 Elena presented a petition signed by 500,000 supporting a referendum but the Spanish government refused to consider a referendum on self-determination.[2] In July 2017 he was interviewed by the Civil Guard investigating preparations for the proposed unilateral referendum.[2][37]

During the Trial of Catalonia independence leaders Elena acted as Republican Left of Catalonia's legal co-ordinator and accompanied the defendants during their defence in court.[2][38] During the 2018 Catalan government formation, he was nominated by ERC to be Minister of Health but ultimately wasn't appointed by President Quim Torra due to the need to balance the distribution of portfolios amongst the coalition partners.[2]

On 26 May 2021 he was sworn in as Minister of the Interior in the new government of President Pere Aragonès.[39][40][41]

Electoral history
Electoral history of Joan Ignasi Elena
Election Constituency Party Alliance No. Result
1992 regional[5][6]Province of BarcelonaSocialists' Party of Catalonia30Not elected
1995 regional[8][9]Province of BarcelonaSocialists' Party of Catalonia30Not elected
1999 local[12][13]Vilanova i la GeltrúSocialists' Party of CataloniaSocialists' Party of Catalonia-Municipal Progress7Elected
1999 regional[10][11]Province of BarcelonaSocialists' Party of CataloniaSocialists' Party of Catalonia-Citizens for Change39Not elected
2003 local[14][15]Vilanova i la GeltrúSocialists' Party of CataloniaSocialists' Party of Catalonia-Municipal Progress5Elected
2007 local[16][17]Vilanova i la GeltrúSocialists' Party of CataloniaSocialists' Party of Catalonia-Municipal Progress1Elected
2012 regional[21][22]Province of BarcelonaSocialists' Party of Catalonia4Elected

References
  1. "IV legislatura: Càrrecs parlamentaris i biografies dels diputats i diputades & Composició dels grups parlamentaris" (PDF) (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Parliament of Catalonia. p. 53. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  2. "Joan Ignasi Elena se perfila como conseller de Interior del Govern Aragonès". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  3. Roger, Maiol (16 December 2011). "Joan Ignasi Elena, el 'outsider' obiolista". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  4. Serra Carné, Joan; March, Oriol (22 May 2021). "Joan Ignasi Elena assumirà la conselleria d'Interior". NacióDigital (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  5. "Administració de Justícia: Juntes Electorals". Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan). No. 1557. Barcelona, Spain: Generalitat de Catalunya. 18 February 1992. p. 1083. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  6. "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 1992: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 2. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  7. "Historial de la composició: Ple del Parlament: IV legislatura (3 d'abril de 1992 - 26 de setembre de 1995)" (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Parliament of Catalonia. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  8. "Administració de Justícia: Juntes Electorals". Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan). No. 2119. Barcelona, Spain: Generalitat de Catalunya. 24 October 1995. p. 7755. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  9. "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 1995: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  10. "Administració de Justícia: Juntes Electorals". Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan). No. 2979. Barcelona, Spain: Generalitat de Catalunya. 21 September 1999. p. 12433. ISSN 1988-298X. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  11. "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 1999: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 1. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  12. "Administració Electoral: Junta Electoral de Zona de Vilanova i la Geltrú". Butlletí Oficial de la Província de Barcelona (in Catalan). Vol. LXI, no. 113. Barcelona, Spain: Diputació de Barcelona. 12 May 1999. p. 79. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  13. "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Junio 1999 – Mun. Vilanova i la Geltrú" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  14. "Administració Electoral: Junta Electoral de Zona de Vilanova i la Geltrú". Butlletí Oficial de la Província de Barcelona (in Catalan). Vol. LXI, no. 102. Barcelona, Spain: Diputació de Barcelona. 29 April 2003. p. 78. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  15. "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Mayo 2003 – Mun. Vilanova i la Geltrú" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  16. "Administració Electoral: Junta Electoral de Zona de Barcelona". Butlletí Oficial de la Província de Barcelona (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Diputació de Barcelona. 25 April 2007. p. 341. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  17. "Consulta de Resultados Electorales: Municipales / Mayo 2007 - Mun. Vilanova i la Geltrú" (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Ministry of the Interior. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  18. "Navarro se hace con el control del PSC y desplaza al equipo de Montilla". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. 18 December 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  19. Ríos, Pere (1 July 2012). "El PSC ensaya otro intento para abrirse al electorado progresista". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  20. "Avancem: l'esquerda del PSC". Tribuna.cat (in Catalan). 21 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  21. "Administració Electoral - Juntes Electorals Provincials". Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan). Barcelona, Spain: Generalitat de Catalunya (6239): 51634. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  22. "Eleccions al Parlament de Catalunya 2012: Candidats electes" (PDF) (in Catalan). Departament de Governació, Administracions Públiques i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya. p. 1. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  23. "El Parlament de Catalunya aprueba la declaración de soberanía de CiU y ERC". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  24. Ríos, Pere (24 January 2013). "El PSC aplaza al día 28 la respuesta a los cinco diputados que no votaron". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  25. Ríos, Pere (17 January 2014). "El PSC ahonda su división interna". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  26. "The Catalan Socialist Party breaks due to the self-determination vote". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  27. "Lucena (PSC): "Entregar el acta es la salida más digna, responsable y noble"". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. EFE. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  28. Ríos, Pere (17 January 2014). "Valenciano: "En privado, Mas reconoce que esta consulta no se hará"". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  29. Ríos, Pere (22 January 2014). "El PSC envía a los críticos al gallinero del Parlament". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  30. "Catalan Socialist Party doesn't expel the rebel MPs but sidelines them". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  31. Rico, Jose (9 July 2014). "Joan Ignasi Elena abandona el grupo del PSC en el Parlament". El Periódico de Catalunya (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  32. Ríos, Pere (16 September 2014). "Elena abandona el escaño del PSC y pasa al grupo mixto". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  33. Piñol, Àngels (23 September 2014). "Elena deja el escaño en el Parlament para "construir el espacio socialista"". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  34. Noguer, Miquel (28 June 2014). "Avancem rompe con el PSC y se alía con Nova Esquerra Catalana". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  35. "NECat y Moviment Catalunya confían en recuperar a Avancem para fusionarse en un partido". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  36. Masreal, Fidel (22 May 2021). "Joan Ignasi Elena será el nuevo 'conseller' de Interior". El Periódico de Catalunya (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  37. Carranco, Rebeca (27 July 2017). "La Guardia Civil investiga por el referéndum al director de Comunicación del Govern". El País (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  38. "Joan Ignasi Elena ejercerá de portavoz jurídico de ERC en el juicio del 'procés'". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  39. "New Catalan ministers take office under the presidency of Pere Aragonès". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  40. Calvet, Josep M. (26 May 2021). "Los consellers de Aragonès toman posesión sin referencias al Estatut ni a la Constitución". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  41. "Càrrecs i Personal: Departament de la Presidència". Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan). No. 8418A. Barcelona, Spain: Generalitat de Catalunya. 26 May 2021. p. 1. ISSN 1988-298X. Retrieved 28 May 2021.

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