Rufián calls for electoral "efficiency" from the left: "Everyone in their own home and antifascism in everyone's home"

MadridBefore 500 people in a hall that two hours later would host a jazz concert, Gabriel Rufián posed a question: "What's the point of fourteen left-wing parties representing the same thing running in the same place, competing for positions?" After many days of speculation and discussions, the ERC spokesperson in Congress has outlined his proposal to form a united left-wing front for the upcoming general elections. His roadmap consists of establishing "three or four common programmatic points" for the left and having the parties run province by province. "Each one in their own home, and antifascism, the right to self-determination, and the improvement of living conditions, in everyone's home," he declared solemnly. He also opened the door to forming a joint parliamentary group in Congress. This took place at an event in the Galileo Galilei Hall in Madrid, where he was accompanied by Emilio Delgado, a regional deputy from Más Madrid.

"We all share the diagnosis; the real discussion is how we win seats from Vox," he argued. In other words, Gabriel Rufián is proposing a single left-wing candidacy in each electoral district: "I am asking, for the first time in history, for order, efficiency, and a method to win seats from Vox province by province." The proposal that Rufián has been hinting at for some time has generated reluctance and misgivings within the ERC leadershipBut he wanted to reiterate that he doesn't aspire for anyone to "renounce their party affiliation and what they have always stood for," but rather advocates for an "unprecedented act of generosity." "Whoever runs in Lleida requires negotiation between the party leadership," he explained. He cited the examples of Bildu in the Basque Country, the BNG in Galicia, and Compromís in the Valencian Community, three territories where these parties are hegemonic on the left. But in Catalonia, ERC competes with Comuns. Ultimately, he acknowledged that the question—in the abstract and in general terms—is "who will take the step of renouncing their party affiliation?" For his part, Emilio Delgado celebrated that this act could be "part of the solution" and "sends a clear message that there is someone" waiting to mobilize. However, he admitted that "intermediation with the people is failing." However, he warned that "it's not just a problem of unity" and called for a "qualitative leap" in the progressive policies being promoted by the Spanish government. For the moment, the Second Vice President of the Spanish government, Yolanda Díaz, views the ideas they both put forward favorably. "I liked what I saw and heard today," she said on social media. "Desire to win, energy, and enthusiasm. Let's double our strength and offer hope," she added.

Absences and presences

One of the big unknowns of the last few days was knowing which political figures They would accompany Gabriel Rufián and Emilio Delgado. And the absences have been almost as significant as the presences. There were, for example, Lara Hernández –coordinator of Movimiento Sumar–, Gerardo Pisarello –deputy for Comunes–, Carolina Cordero –coordinator of Izquierda Unida Madrid– and Alda Recas –deputy for Más Madrid–. Precisely, these four parties have a key meeting on Saturday because to solemnize the re-edition of the electoral coalitionAn event, by the way, that Yolanda Díaz will not attend, claiming that it is "the time for political parties." Also present at Rufián's event were Jorge Pueyo – of the Aragonese Union (Chunta Aragonesista) –, Alberto Ibáñez – of the non-sovereignist wing of Compromís – and Arnau Ramírez – of the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC). Representing Esquerra Republicana (ERC) were two members of parliament, Etna Estrems and Inés Granollers, and two senators, Jordi Gaseni and Laura Castel. The president of ERC, Oriol Junqueras, was not present, despite having traveled to Madrid on Wednesday and met with both parliamentary groups. The idea proposed by Rufián did not come up at any point during their meeting in Congress. Early this morning, when journalists asked Rufián if Junqueras would be attending the event, the Republican deputy brushed off the question with another: "I invited him to my wedding, why shouldn't I invite him to everything?" When asked what Junqueras, with whom he claimed to speak daily, had told him so far, he simply replied: "He told me the weather is worse in Madrid than in Barcelona." After the event, in statements to Cadena SER radio, Junqueras reiterated that ERC would run under its own banner and again rejected Rufián's proposal. In fact, he reiterated his "support" for whoever the Republican candidate is in the next general election.

Like a Rolling Stones concert

Dozens of people were left outside the hall. Tickets sold out in four minutes, but many people still came to queue, hoping for a chance to get in. As the event was about to begin, the queue stretched around the corner, and many people watched from the other side of the street with anticipation. More than one person asked us for press credentials—some even offering payment—to gain entry. In the queue, very close to the door, Elsa tried to get in. She came from Navarre, convinced that the left needs to unite. "Everything is possible!" she exclaimed. Manolín drove from Málaga. He made the same journey he took to the Rolling Stones concert and now wanted to see Rufián in person. He requested a giant screen so he could follow the talk and thought it should have been held at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

"Let us in, we're really eager," she implores another woman in the queue, just before being allowed into the venue, which has strict controls to manage capacity. Further back, 22-year-old Pablo heaps praise on Rufián: "I like the way he speaks, the way he conveys ideas. He inspires confidence." He's accompanied by 24-year-old Maite, who insists that these ideas "must be put into practice" and acknowledges that the ERC spokesperson in Congress generates "sympathy" among young people. 74-year-old Pilar celebrates that Rufián "mobilizes" progressive people and praises the fact that his project "isn't as personalistic" as Yolanda Díaz's. Even a Moncloa Palace employee urges Yolanda Díaz to "join forces with people" like Gabriel Rufián and believes that unity on the left is possible "if people lose their ego and arrogance." And Mar gives herself body and soul to the Republican: "I place my perimenopausal womb at his disposal." Politically, she acknowledges that he is "honest" and has a "realistic view" of what is happening.

Inside the hall, with many people standing who couldn't find seats, Rufián and Delgado's speeches are interrupted by applause and a few shouts of approval. Right after the event ends, they begin setting up the instruments for the next performance. At the bar, you can order a beer for six euros or a rum with glue for ten euros. There are wines from Valladolid and La Rioja. And a bottle of Anna de Codorniu cava that costs thirty euros.