As an institution representing the people of Catalonia, Parliament must be dissolved and re-elected periodically in order to uphold the right of the citizens of Catalonia to participate in public affairs through their democratically elected representatives.

The Statute of Autonomy therefore establishes that Parliament is elected for a period of four years, commencing on the date when the election is held.

However, the Statute also establishes that the Legislative term may be shorter than four years in two specific cases:

a) Where it is impossible to form a Parliamentary majority to govern. If, in the process of electing the President of the Generalitat, two months elapse without any candidate having secured the confidence of Parliament, it must be dissolved and new elections held.

b) Where the President of the Generalitat, having consulted the Government, decides to dissolve Parliament early. This power may not be exercised during the process of a motion of censure, nor may it be exercised if less than one year has passed since the last such dissolution of Parliament. The decree for the dissolution of Parliament must establish when elections are to be held, which must take place between 40 and 60 days from the date of publication of the decree in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (official journal of the Generalitat of Catalonia).