Attempts by Gabriel Rufián, ERC's leader in the Congress, to forge a united left front were once again met with rejection from his party. Following an event in Barcelona with Podem MEP Irene Montero, where both called for unity against the far-right, republicans emphasized that their "priority" is Catalonia.
“"We are not the left of the PSOE; we are the national left of Catalonia."
Esquerra spokesperson Isaac Albert expressed concern on social media about a "democracy in danger" and affirmed that, "if it depends on ERC, the far-right will not govern." However, he stressed that the party would not resolve the disputes of the Spanish left and advocated for leading the progressive space in Catalonia, joining forces with parties like Bildu, BNG, and Compromís.
For her part, Irene Montero defended the need to engage in dialogue "with everyone," including IU and Sumar, to solidify the broad front presented with Rufián. The former minister expressed her interest in running with the republican in general elections but noted that candidates are always chosen by the public through primaries.
The spokesperson for the Comuns, David Cid, positively assessed the "step towards the future" taken by Rufián and Montero, despite criticizing ERC's "aggressive" response. Cid, who supports unitary candidacies on the left, pointed out that the uncertainty lies in whether Rufián will act independently of Esquerra.
Separately, members of critical sectors within ERC formally requested a binding internal consultation for the party's members to decide on continued support for Illa's Government. This initiative was promoted by figures such as Xavier Martínez-Gil, Àngel Ruiz (from the Col·lectiu 1 d'Octubre), former minister Alfred Bosch, and former senator Miquel Àngel Estradé, who previously challenged Oriol Junqueras for party leadership with the Foc Nou candidacy.
