Oriol Junqueras confirms Gabriel Rufián as ERC lead candidate for Spanish general election on 29 November
Esquerra Republicana president Oriol Junqueras announced that Gabriel Rufián will head the party list in the 29 November general election, as internal primaries begin and negotiations over candidate conditions continue.
Nomination of Rufián and internal primaries
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya president Oriol Junqueras confirmed on Tuesday that Gabriel Rufián will head the party slate for the snap general election on 29 November 2026. Speaking on SER Catalunya, Junqueras described the lawmaker, who has served in the Congress of Deputies since 2016 and as parliamentary spokesperson since 2019, as the party's strongest electoral asset. The announcement followed statements on Monday by ERC secretary general and spokesperson Elisenda Alamany, who opened the internal selection process. Under party rules formalized on Monday, candidates must gather endorsements from at least 5% of members starting Tuesday, with uncontested bids ratified directly before the full candidate list receives final approval on 17 October 2026. Alamany also stated that Junqueras does not seek a seat in Madrid, aiming instead to serve as president of the regional government of Catalonia.
Strategy disputes and conditions for running
The confirmation follows months of internal debate regarding electoral strategy and the composition of candidate lists. Rufián had advocated for a broader coalition uniting state-level left-wing organizations and Catalan sovereignist parties, presenting the proposal in Madrid in May 2026 at Club Siglo XXI. Party leadership rejected running under a combined banner, choosing instead to compete under ERC's own name. Sources close to Rufián indicated that the spokesperson requested influence over the party's political direction and the selection of slate members before accepting the nomination.
Junqueras rejected doubts regarding Rufián's willingness to lead the ticket.
He will certainly be the candidate for Esquerra Republicana.
- ERC executive creates primary organizing committee and Alamany endorses Rufián
- Junqueras confirms Rufián candidacy and endorsement collection begins
- ERC national executive and council ratify the full candidate list
- Spanish snap general election voting day
Stalled fiscal reforms and parliamentary friction
Junqueras directed criticism toward both the governing Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and rival pro-independence group Junts per Catalunya, accusing both parties of blocking key legislative measures intended for Catalonia. The stalled initiatives include a proposed reform of the regional financing model, debt cancellation through the Regional Liquidity Fund (FLA), and Catalan representation on the Consortium of the Free Trade Zone of Barcelona. Junqueras stated that ERC would establish new terms for any potential parliamentary support for a Socialist administration after 29 November, though he deemed a working Socialist majority unlikely.
Junqueras defended the lost resources for public services while criticizing the political deadlock.
4.7 billion euros from the pockets of this country's families is certainly better than zero. And everyone knows it.
Junts campaign preparations and judicial developments
Rival party Junts per Catalunya is also preparing its campaign for the November vote, with parliamentary spokesperson Míriam Nogueras confirmed to lead their slate. Junts general secretary Jordi Turull announced Nogueras's candidacy, while the party's national leadership met with former regional president Carles Puigdemont in Belgium on Monday to coordinate strategy. Nogueras addressed party members from Waterloo, criticizing tax burdens and fiscal models affecting Catalonia. The posconvergente party faces no competition on its right flank, as Aliança will not contest the general election, while the party anticipates potential judicial developments regarding the application of the amnesty law.
