Junqueras justified his absence from Thursday's event in Barcelona due to "agenda issues". Beyond his presence, the republican leader has once again dismissed the proposal for ERC to join a unitary left-wing candidacy for state elections, arguing that formations like ERC, the BNG, or Compromís already represent their own spheres.
“"ERC, BNG, or Compromís already represent everything they need to represent. I wish the Spanish parties good luck. In their sphere of decision, we have no intention of telling others how they should present themselves."
This statement represents a new rejection of Rufián's initiative, although Junqueras has stated that he considers it reasonable. However, he emphasized that ERC must remain outside such candidacies, as it is a party with exclusive representation in Catalonia. He added that "ERC does not run in other places. It does not run in Finland, nor would it make any sense, nor does anyone expect us to run who knows where".
Regarding negotiations with the PSOE, Junqueras has insisted on the need for the socialists to comply with previous agreements to guarantee stability and the approval of budgets, both in the Spanish state and in Catalonia. He has demanded an "alternative on the table" from the PSOE if they do not want to cede the collection of IRPF in Catalonia, as established in the investiture agreement between ERC and the PSC.
The ERC president has reiterated that the budget agreement is conditioned on concrete advances in self-government, an issue that the party considers an obligation and its own will in the ongoing negotiations.
“"We always work. The question is whether the PSC has the same interest. We are delighted to grant credit to whoever deserves it."
