Rufián urges dialogue with Comuns
Gabriel Rufián, confirmed as ERC’s lead candidate for Barcelona in the 29 November general elections, has publicly urged the party to negotiate a joint candidacy with the Comuns, contradicting his own party’s official stance. In a post on X published Tuesday afternoon, Rufián stated: "ERC and Comuns must talk, listen to each other, and understand each other to unblock the situation. Beyond vetoes and hatreds that matter to no one. And I am committed to this. And I will do it until the end." His remarks come hours after ERC’s national spokesperson, Isaac Albert, ruled out any coalition that would dilute the party’s identity. At a press conference in Barcelona, Albert confirmed that ERC will run under its own banner in Catalonia, stating: "The electoral list is ERC’s, the electoral programme is ERC’s, and deputies elected on 29 November will sit as ERC members."
Podemos to campaign with ERC, but not run in Catalonia
While ERC has formalised a collaboration with Podemos, it stops short of a full coalition. Albert clarified that members of Podemos will appear as independents on ERC’s lists in Barcelona and Tarragona, but not in guaranteed seats. The agreement means Podemos will not field its own candidates in Catalonia, instead backing ERC’s campaign. Despite this, Rufián’s inner circle confirmed he will campaign nationally alongside Podemos leader Irene Montero, with both expected to appear together in rallies outside Catalonia. There are also indications Montero may campaign for ERC in Barcelona.
I want an agreement, and that means there must be one in Catalonia too. It makes no sense to demand broad fronts for Madrid and not want them for Catalonia.
Rufián’s position reflects months of internal tension over ERC’s electoral strategy. While the party leadership frames the deal with Podemos as a one-sided collaboration, Rufián continues to advocate for a broader left-wing alliance, including Sumar, Comuns, and Izquierda Unida.
Comuns reject ERC-led front
The Comuns have previously criticised Rufián for undermining efforts to build a unified left platform, accusing him of deepening divisions. They had proposed Ada Colau as lead candidate for a joint front in Barcelona. However, with just three days remaining before the deadline to register coalitions, prospects for an agreement appear remote. Albert reiterated that ERC remains open to dialogue but will not compromise its institutional presence: "We can talk to anyone, but ERC will stand as ERC." The party’s formal candidacy, including Senate and Congress lists, will be approved at a national executive meeting on 20 October.
Reported by ara.cat, en.ara.cat, abc.es, lavanguardia.com, libertaddigital.com, catalunyapress.cat, elmundo.com.es, democrata.es, eldiario.es, amp.rtve.es, pressdigital.es, vozpopuli.com, moncloa.com, naciodigital.cat, VilaWeb Feed, Ara Cat.
