Oriol Junqueras, leader of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), announced on Monday his candidacy for the presidency of the Generalitat. In his presentation, he called for political centrality to unite Catalan society. The announcement comes amid political tensions in Catalonia.
Oriol Junqueras, current Deputy Prime Minister of the Spanish Government and ERC leader, presented his candidacy for the presidency of the Generalitat on September 30, 2025, in Barcelona. In an event before party members and supporters, Junqueras emphasized the need for a central political position to overcome divisions in Catalonia.
"Political centrality is not lukewarmness, but the ability to unite the social majority around a common project," Junqueras declared during his speech. This approach aims to attract moderate voters in a fragmented landscape, where ERC has lost ground in recent elections to more radical independence parties and unionists.
The context of this announcement dates back to the 2021 regional elections, where ERC won 33 seats but failed to form a government. Since then, Junqueras has maintained his role in Pedro Sánchez's central executive, negotiating pardons for independence leaders and amnesty. However, critics within the independence movement accuse ERC of diluting its agenda through pacts with the PSOE.
Junqueras, 56 years old, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the 2017 procés but was pardoned in 2021. His candidacy represents an attempt to revitalize ERC ahead of possible 2026 elections. Analysts note that appealing to centrality could broaden its base but risks alienating more radical sectors.
The event took place in a Barcelona pavilion, with about 500 people present, and was broadcast live on ERC's social networks. No details have been announced about his campaign team or specific alliances.