During the presentation of MP Francesc-Marc Álvaro's book in Barcelona, Junqueras intensified his criticism against the idea of an electoral coalition that would include figures like former mayor Ada Colau. This stance contrasts with the proposals from Rufián and former MP Joan Tardà, who aim to maximize the left-wing vote beyond the PSOE to counter the far-right.
“"I went to prison for Catalonia, not for Ada Colau to be an MP on an Esquerra list."
Rufián's proposal, which includes avoiding competition in each province and uniting with the party that achieved the best results in previous elections, has been met with coolness by the ERC leadership. It is worth noting that in the last elections, the Comuns were the most voted force in the Barcelona constituency.
Although Junqueras has defended Rufián's freedom of expression, considering him a friend, he has reiterated that Esquerra will run under its own name. This statement comes on the same day that the party's national spokesperson, Isaac Albert, confirmed the attendance of an ERC delegation at the event that Rufián and Podemos MEP Irene Montero will hold on April 9 at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona to discuss left-wing unity.
“"Rufián is my friend, a fantastic person: he expresses his personal opinion and I am in favor of freedom of conscience, of course, but this is compatible with stating that Catalanism, democratic values, and independence in Catalonia are embodied by ERC."
Both Junqueras and the president of the Parliament, Josep Rull, also present at the event, emphasized the need for 'explicit understanding' among 'democratically traditional' parties to 'save the values' of Catalanism, but ruled out an electoral coalition as the solution.
