The Spanish political scene to the left of the socialists is undergoing a deep reconstruction ahead of the 2027 elections. Gabriel Rufián of ERC has proposed creating a common front of progressive and regional parties, which polls suggest could block right-wing rule. Simultaneously, the Sumar, IU, Más Madrid, and Comuns formations have presented their own alliance project, putting pressure on Podemos to join a unified list.

Gabriel Rufián's Initiative

The ERC spokesperson proposes a common front of left-wing and sovereigntist parties, which polls suggest threatens the parliamentary majority of the PP and Vox bloc.

New 'Un paso al frente' Alliance

The Sumar, IU, Más Madrid, and Comuns formations have officially announced cooperation and are putting pressure on Podemos.

Primary Election in Barcelona

Gerardo Pisarello becomes BComú's candidate for mayor, promoting a local variant of a broad left-wing agreement.

Internal Friction within ERC

Oriol Junqueras sharply criticizes Rufián for unilateral actions and unification proposals.

Recent days have brought dynamic changes in Spanish politics, focusing on attempts to unite the fragmented left. The spokesperson for the Catalan party ERC, Gabriel Rufián, presented the concept of a common front that would include both nationwide left-wing parties and sovereigntist forces from the Basque Country, Galicia, or Andalusia. This initiative has received a mixed reception within ERC itself, where Oriol Junqueras criticized Rufián's stance, deeming it harmful to the organization. Nevertheless, the latest polls indicate that such a consolidated coalition could effectively threaten the expected parliamentary majority of the PP and Vox bloc. In parallel, four parties: Movimiento Sumar, Izquierda Unida (IU), Más Madrid, and Comuns, finalized in Madrid the launch of a new electoral platform under the slogan "Un paso al frente" (A Step Forward). Antonio Maíllo, coordinator of IU, warned the Podemos party that remaining outside the new alliance could lead to their permanent political marginalization. Meanwhile, Yolanda Díaz, the current deputy prime minister, remains a central figure, although her role in the future leadership of the alliance has not yet been definitively specified. The new coalition plans a series of meetings in Andalusia and Catalonia in the coming months to mobilize the demotivated progressive electorate. The Spanish left has been undergoing cyclical processes of fragmentation and consolidation since 2015, starting with the success of Podemos, through the creation of Sumar, to the current impasse following the 2023 elections. In Barcelona, Gerardo Pisarello succeeded by winning the primary in BComú, defeating Bob Pop. Pisarello announced immediate talks with PSC, ERC, and CUP to build a "broad front" at the local level. This situation shows that the tendency to build alliances between the traditional left and regionalist movements is becoming a mainstream feature of Spanish political debate, aimed at countering the strengthening of conservative forces.Gerardo Pisarello: 68, Bob Pop: 27, Others/Abstained: 52027 — year of the planned parliamentary elections in Spain„Será un error si no nos entendemos ahora que la derecha llama a la puerta.” (It will be a mistake if we do not understand each other now that the right is knocking at the door.) — Gabriel Rufián

Mentioned People

  • Gabriel Rufián — ERC spokesperson in Congress, initiator of the proposal for a broad left-wing front.
  • Yolanda Díaz — Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, key figure in the governing left-wing coalition.
  • Gerardo Pisarello — MP and candidate for mayor of Barcelona for BComú.
  • Antonio Maíllo — Federal coordinator of Izquierda Unida.