Gerardo Pisarello, currently a member of the Congress of Deputies and former deputy mayor, has won the primary election of the Barcelona en Comú group. Securing over 68 percent of the vote, he defeated journalist Bob Pop. Pisarello takes over from Ada Colau and will lead the left-wing formation's list in the 2027 municipal elections. This result solidifies the continuation of the current policy line of urban activists in the capital of Catalonia.

Decisive Victory for Pisarello

Current MP Gerardo Pisarello obtained 68.6% of the votes in the primary, defeating journalist Bob Pop and becoming the official candidate for mayor.

Success for the Party's Official Line

Pisarello's victory, supported by the BComú leadership, signifies the continuation of the political course set by former mayor Ada Colau.

Tandem with Carolina Recio

Alongside the leader, Carolina Recio was chosen as the second person on the list, which is intended to strengthen the formation's electoral structure ahead of 2027.

The internal party vote within the structures of Barcelona en Comú concluded with a decisive victory for Gerardo Pisarello. The politician, currently serving as First Secretary of the Congress Presidium, obtained 68.6% support (1046 votes). His main opponent in the primary, popular columnist and actor Bob Pop, gathered 27% of the votes. Pisarello ran in tandem with Carolina Recio, who is set to be number two on the electoral list. The candidate selection process lasted two days and aimed to choose a leader who will fight to regain power in Barcelona in May 2027. Barcelona en Comú is a radical left-wing citizen platform that governed Barcelona from 2015 to 2023. Under the leadership of Ada Colau, this party became a symbol of the fight against gentrification and real estate speculation in European metropolises.Pisarello's victory is interpreted as a win for the official faction, supported by the party leadership, over the critical faction represented by Roberto Enríquez (Bob Pop). The new candidate announced that his priority will be to protect the legacy of Ada Colau and mobilize the left-wing electorate. Pisarello, a lawyer and constitutional law professor by training, has extensive experience in local administration, having served as first deputy mayor from 2015 to 2019. This selection comes at a time when other parties, such as ERC, are also beginning procedures to select their leaders for the upcoming electoral race. „The left cannot call for mobilization only when the right is in power; we must build a lasting alternative for the residents of Barcelona.” — Gerardo Pisarello Experts point out that Pisarello faces the difficult task of unifying a fragmented left and regaining support in districts that voted for centrist parties in the last elections. Success in the primary is just the first step in a long campaign aimed at returning to the vision of the city as a space for social justice and limiting mass tourism, which was a hallmark of the Comuns' governance. Results of the Barcelona en Comú Primary: Gerardo Pisarello: 68.6, Bob Pop: 27, Abstentions/Other: 4.4 1046 — party members voted for Gerardo Pisarello

Mentioned People

  • Gerardo Pisarello — Primary winner, MP for Sumar and former deputy mayor of Barcelona.
  • Bob Pop — Real name Roberto Enríquez, journalist, actor and writer, who lost in the primary.
  • Ada Colau — Former mayor of Barcelona and previous leader of the Barcelona en Comú group.
  • Carolina Recio — Politician selected in tandem with Pisarello as number two on the electoral list.