The migration debate also shakes ERC

BarcelonaAlthough the growth of the Catalan Alliance It is mainly detrimental to Junts, the latest polls also reflect a stagnation of Esquerra. The migration issue, historically, It has not been in the foreground among left-wing forces., nor in ERC. Now, with the far right stepping on the heels of the traditional parties, most have redefined their strategies, not without causing internal debate. The leadership led by Oriol Junqueras has set out to speak "clearly" and provide answers to the "people's problems." Oriol Junqueras said in a recent interview with The National that the Catalonia of 10 million should not now be a "priority," but rather the focus should be on solving problems such as housing and transportation and strengthening public services. The Republican leader also sent messages against repeated offenses and "jobs of a criminal nature." However, the meaning of his messages, agreed upon with the leadership, has not pleased everyone within the party.

The debate, according to several sources consulted by ARA, arose during the meeting held by the parliamentary group's deputies in the Parliament last Friday in Vacarisses. Some deputies questioned the party's strategic line in this regard, because they believe there is a risk of moving away from the DNA that has historically represented Esquerra: that this debate is not approached from a human rights perspective and that the party is veering towards the center. A thesis defended by other party cadres beyond the debate within the parliamentary group. "It's a bad idea to outline the political approach; you run the risk of following the reactionary trail," notes a source critical of the current leadership, adding: "We can speak clearly and about what is necessary, but we can't follow the reactionary wave." "Citizens need clear answers to the problems," responds a source close to the leadership, who argues that this does not imply any ideological shift to the center.

Those critical of the leadership's approach advocate addressing the migration issue, but without renouncing Esquerra's identity and ensuring that the party is not conditioned by the current context. "We can't buy their mentality," notes another source. The leadership asserts that it has not abandoned any ideological line on the migration issue. However, it also advocates not shying away from any debate. "Security is left-wing because the right is already paying for it," argue sources from the Republican leadership, who respond to critics that there has been no change in the party's strategy, but rather that ERC is merely providing responses to current problems, including security, without linking it to immigration.

And in this sense, they argue, for example, that in the face of multiple reoffending, justice must act more "swiftly." In fact, Junqueras said in an interview on TV3 a few days ago: "Multiple reoffending must be pursued." Indeed, from the region, the majority of those consulted call for not shying away from any debate. "From the left, the tendency is to not talk about certain issues, so we give the narrative away to the right," notes a Republican mayor, who also adds, of course, that this narrative must always emphasize the defense of "rights and opportunities for all." "We must talk about everything, but also combat fascism and not accept its rhetoric," another ERC mayor tells ARA.

ERC doesn't want to address the migration debate independently of other issues such as strengthening public services or the housing problem, because they are interconnected debates. However, some members are irritated by the fact that Junqueras, in addition to emphasizing the defense of the right to housing, also included a message in defense of small property owners. "We must protect a person's right to enjoy the benefits of this housing," said the Republican leader in the same TV3 interview. He was referring to a person who, with their savings, had bought an apartment and rented it out "to have a supplement in their retirement." But some members of ERC shouldn't focus their message on this debate; instead, it should focus on resolving, for example, one of the problems they see as most urgent: generating more public housing. "We are a party with a vocation for majorities," the party's leadership defends.

The struggles in Girona and Tarragona

Beyond the debate on the immigration issue, internal disputes within the party continue to simmer. This was evident in Girona, in the primaries to elect the city's mayoral candidate, between Marc Puigtió and Adam Manyé. The former had the endorsement of Oriol Junqueras, and the latter had been placed on the New National Left—the candidacy that challenged Junqueras for the leadership in the primaries a year ago. Puigtió won the vote by just one vote, and with controversy, because a vote that had been marked with a sticker for Manyé's candidacy was annulled. The case is now before the Guarantees Commission, which should issue a resolution by next week, reports Mariona Ferrer i Fornells.

In Tarragona, Xavier Puig, a current councilor on the city council, was the first to run for leader of the Tarragona Republicans and will face Saül Garreta, former director of the Port of Tarragona. Puig was part of the Foc Nou candidacy of Helena Solà and Alfred Bosch in the party primaries a year ago, while Garreta supported Oriol Junqueras and currently serves on the national executive as secretary of ecological transition and sports. Puig has the endorsement of former Tarragona mayor Pau Ricomà, who sided with the New National Left. Garreta made the official presentation of his candidacy, accompanied by figures such as ERC spokesperson in the Parliament, Ester Capella, and former Congressman Joan Tardà. Puig has a head start in the race, having collected 124 endorsements to Garreta's 77. The outcome will be decided in the October 4 vote.