The former Deputy Mayor and current Congress deputy, Gerardo Pisarello, and the writer and television critic Roberto Enríquez, known as Bob Pop, are vying for the leadership of Barcelona en Comú (BeC) in primaries to be held between February 11 and 19. Pisarello has the explicit support of former mayor Ada Colau and figures like Jaume Asens and Ernest Urtasun, while Bob Pop seeks to convince the grassroots with a proposal that breaks with the current leadership's dynamics.
The main point of contention between the two candidacies is the strategy to follow given the rise of the PSC and the far-right. Pisarello is a staunch defender of the “broad front philosophy,” advocating for alliances with other left-wing parties, preferably before the elections, to form coalition governments.
“"It would be suicidal to renounce the idea of a broad front in Barcelona and everywhere else."
For his part, Bob Pop's candidacy, which partners with Eixample councilor Mar Tralledo, rejects the idea of a broad front. They argue that this strategy empowers the PSC and that the Comuns must pull further to the left to regain disillusioned voters. The writer, who consulted his decision with Ada Colau, has received support from historical figures such as former ICV deputy Laia Ortiz and Rosa Lluch.
We believe it gives wings to the PSC. The Comuns must pull to the left, and these operations cause the opposite.
Online voting will close on February 19, and the winner will be announced the following day, February 20. Around 10,000 militants and sympathizers of the formation will be able to participate in these primaries, the first the party has held to choose its lead candidate for the municipal elections.
