Gabriel Rufián of ERC and Irene Montero of Podemos proposed in Barcelona that ERC lead a left-wing coalition in Catalonia and Podemos elsewhere in Spain to avoid "dying separately" against the right. The event, moderated by Xavier Domènech, has sparked tensions within ERC and rejection from Sumar. Rufián urges his party to inspire the unification of Spain's left.
Gabriel Rufián, ERC spokesperson in Congress, and Irene Montero, Podemos political secretary and MEP, held a dialogue on Thursday at Barcelona's Universitat Pompeu Fabra, moderated by former Comuns leader Xavier Domènech. Both advocated unifying left-wing forces to counter the rise of the far right.
Rufián proposed ERC head the list in Catalonia and Podemos across the rest of Spain, stating: «I think Podemos in Spain and ERC in Catalonia can drive this». Montero backed it, stressing «the urgency to stop the right» and that «in Spain and Catalonia, people want left-wing politics». Rufián ruled out leaving ERC: «I'll stay until they kick me out» and urged: «Why can't ERC inspire this Spanish left? Otherwise, they'll kill us separately».
ERC leadership under Oriol Junqueras, who did not attend, rejected the proposal. ERC sources told EL MUNDO it is «not possible» and Junqueras has repeated the party will run under its own banner in Catalonia's four provinces. Sumar and its allies do not support it, per consulted sources.
Some 300 people attended, including Joan Tardà backing Rufián, Oriol López for ERC, Podem and Comuns representatives like Gerardo Pisarello and Joan Mena, and Jaume Roures. Rufián argued against insulting Vox voters and stressed issues like security and immigration, with Montero countering by emphasizing feminism.
