The new ERC leadership in Barcelona cools Collboni's entry into the government.
Cruz Camacho maintains that he will "review" the agreement signed by the previous leadership with the PSC.
BarcelonaOne of the main reasons why Creu Camacho ran in the ERC primaries in Barcelona was to channel the discontent generated by the suspension sine die from the referendum on Jaume Collboni's entry into government almost a year ago. Once officially proclaimed President of the Republicans in Barcelona – after winning the primaries by 14 votes –Camacho remains committed to reopening the debate, but to doing so by first "reviewing" the pact signed by the previous leadership and then assessing whether it is appropriate to now enter into government with the Socialists in Barcelona. In fact, among the critics who have formed this candidacy are a large portion of the membership who opposed that agreement and who criticized the federation's previous leadership, until now chaired by Eva Baró, for not having reopened the debate. They believed that if that consultation had been held, the membership would not have validated the agreement.
"We will fulfill what we said. Plan a congress before the summer, speak with the municipal group, understand the pact, its status and how it has evolved, and present it at a congress so the membership can decide," Camacho stated this Sunday in a press conference. Halfway through the term, aside from what ERC members think about the agreement, there is another factor to consider: whether the PSC is still willing to accept the Republicans as part of its municipal government. However, the critics' goal is for the debate to be closed with a vote of the membership, even if only symbolic. In other words, for the rank and file to speak out regardless of the scenario, including their refusal to negotiate with the PSC.
The federation's new leadership can call an in-person congress—like the one a year ago—without needing the endorsement of the national leadership, but if it were to hold a specific consultation on this issue, it would need the authorization of the leadership on Calàbria Street. The current general secretary and leader of the municipal group in the council, Elisenda Alamany, had previously defended the pact. Now, no member of the national leadership has officially commented on whether they support opening the debate or whether ERC should now enter the municipal government. However, internally, there are several voices who admit that now is no longer the time and consider the debate over. They also argue that the agreement reached a year ago would not be suitable for submitting it to a membership vote now because the situation is not the same.
Integration?
Beyond the debate over joining the municipal government, the federation's new leadership will also have to face other issues. It will have to decide, for example, whether to integrate members of Eva Baró's official candidate into the new leadership. This option is provided for in the party statutes if the chosen list fails to exceed 55% of the vote, as occurred this weekend (Camacho secured 49.6%). The new president of the Barcelona federation has not yet commented on the matter, but she has stated that she wants to "count on everyone." Whether or not there will be an integration will indicate the relationship the new Barcelona leadership will have with the national leadership and whether the federation will once again act as a countervailing power—as has historically occurred—after Eva Baró's term.
