The heavy setbacks for the Left in the local and European elections held on May 26 mark the end of a political era in Catalunya. The disappointing results were most emblematically expressed in the defeat of Barcelona’s radical mayor Ada Colau. Dropping 4.5 percent of her vote compared to 2015, she was edged out by Ernest Maragall of the soft-left, pro-independence ERC.

As the parties negotiate a new majority in city hall over coming days, it is possible that Colau could remain in office. But all the signs are that such a majority would rely on major concessions toward the Spanish-unionist parties. Her fate depends on a pact with not only the social-liberal PSC but also Manuel Valls — candidate for the center-right Ciudadanos.

That such an arrangement is even being contemplated highlights a grim shift in Catalunya’s politics. Over the last decade, it has seen powerful movements, galvanized by the social and national questions as well as the feminist upsurge. This cycle of struggle included high points like the indignados movement, the rise of municipal socialism, widespread housing occupations, and the millions-strong independence protests that led to the referendum of October 1, 2017.