Rufián advocates for a "plurinational" common front and ignites the ERC

Madrid / BarcelonaGabriel Rufián is one of the voices within Esquerra who most closely aligns with parties to the left of the PSOE, especially Podemos, and also the one who, from Congress, has acted as a liaison with parties such as EH Bildu, Compromís, and BNG. He is also one of the leaders most committed to the idea of forging a broad front with these parties, one that is "plurinational and left-wing," in the run-up to a general election that will attempt to halt the right and far right. This idea he put forward this Tuesday from the corridors of Congress: "If we don't reach an agreement, they will kill us separately politically." Rufián's position does not please several voices within Esquerra, and he has not received the endorsement of the national leadership, which asserts that it is not an issue on the table nor is it being negotiated with any political party.

Rufián's idea comes in the wake of a report published this Tuesday. The World, in which the newspaper claims that the Republican spokesperson in Congress has initiated contacts with parties such as EH Bildu, the BNG, Compromís, and Adelante Andalucía to forge such a common front. However, so far, all conversations have been outside the official channel. "They are coffee talks," say knowledgeable sources. Contacted by ARA, these four parties deny that this issue has been formally addressed. Rufián's entourage also rejects any "formal contact," but emphasizes that the idea is to "explore" whether the possibility of a common front is viable. They recall, in this regard, that a coalition of this type has already been formed for the European elections with EH Bildu, the BNG, and Ara Més.

However, they add that the final decision should be made, depending on the context, by the national leadership, which insists that this path is not viable at this time. However, Rufián sees a need to create a "truly plurinational space" and not one "created from the office of a university in Madrid with broken antennas regarding what the Basque Country and Catalonia mean," in a barb at Podemos proponents like Pablo Iglesias. "What I ask of the Spanish left is that they respect Catalonia and the Basque Country, because if it weren't for Catalonia and the Basque Country, Vox would have been in power here a long time ago," he added. The Republican leader has shown his respect for "the Spanish left that is facing a fascism that is riding very fast," but believes that now is the time for the "peripheral" left to forge a space to try to "truly join forces."

Precisely, Rufián's words come just the day after the former Podemos leader hooked up with the president of ERC, Oriol Junqueras, over the Rejection expressed by the general secretary of the Lilacs, Ione Belarra, in the ARA on immigration powers – he argued that the Mossos d'Esquadra would carry out "racist raids." Junqueras compared this speech with that of Ciutadans and Iglesias turned around, reminding him that he, unlike Albert Rivera or Inés Arrimadas, had visited him in prison. In fact, the argument contrasts with the good relationship Rufián had had with Podemos. The Republican spokesperson had even participated in events of the purple party as a guest. In any case, several Podemos sources indicate that, if there was any possibility of exploring an alliance, it was blown up after this clash.

In fact, it wasn't the first time it had happened either. Iglesias himself had fired against ERC when, in an interview also in this newspaper, assured that Esquerra leaders had "privately" asked Podemos to halt the transfer of immigration powers agreed upon between the PSOE and Junts, which the purple party completely rejects. At the same time, the party led by Ione Belarra has recently strengthened ties with EH Bildu: without going any further, they met with MEP Irene Montero (and took the photo) a couple of weeks ago with one of its heavyweights, Arnaldo Otegi. EH Bildu is openly in favor of a coalition to run jointly with PNV, Sumar, and Podemos in the general and European elections, as approved at its February congress. However, Belarra, when asked about this issue in Monday's interview with ARA, said: "It will depend on the project. It's very sad to say this because of the affection I have for them, but right now we feel very alone in Congress. There are many things that if Podemos doesn't say them, no one will say them."

Chapel denies Rufián's claims

Oriol Junqueras has not come out to refute Rufián's comments, although the leadership denies that this is an issue worth exploring at this time. The ERC leader is considered his mentor, with whom he maintains a close relationship. However, Esquerra's spokesperson in Parliament, Ester Capella, has openly rejected Rufián's approach. In a press conference, she asserted that she speaks "on behalf of ERC" when she says that this is not "part of the party's agenda." "We have had long-standing relationships with certain parties for many years. In political spheres, we stand together, but at this time this proposal is not on the table," she added.

Criticism of Rufián has also come from within the party, specifically from members of the Foc Nou candidacy, which in the Republican primaries was led by Helena Solà and Alfred Bosch. Solà herself has written a message to X: "To prove right those who say that we don't know how to lose [referring to Fuego Nuevo], well no, I admit it, there are those who know much more about losing."

Former MP Jordi Orobitg, who was also a member of Foc Nou, has been added. "Expecting the comments of the"groupies"From the party leadership, so critical of any dissent, in response to a unilateral statement by the spokesperson in Madrid, disavowed by the spokesperson in Parliament," he retorted. In fact, several Republican voices also privately expressed bewilderment on Tuesday afternoon over the position of its prominent figure in the Congress of Deputies.