Rufián to lead ERC list in 29 November poll
Elisenda Alamany, general secretary of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), has confirmed that Gabriel Rufián will head the party’s list in the upcoming general election on 29 November. Rufián, currently ERC’s spokesperson in the Spanish Congress of Deputies, is set to lead the party’s national campaign, according to a statement made by Alamany and reported by multiple outlets including catalunyapress.es and El Nacional. The formal internal process for candidate registration opened on 10 October, with aspiring candidates required to submit nominations and collect around 400 endorsements by Sunday. The final list of heads of list for each of the four provinces will be officially proclaimed on Saturday 17 October.
“Gabriel Rufián is the best candidate,” said Alamany during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters.
Under the party’s internal regulations approved in summer 2026, if only one candidate meets the nomination threshold in a constituency, primaries are waived and the candidate is automatically confirmed, no further vote required.
Internal discussions continue over conditions
Despite the public endorsement, reports from 20minutos.es and El Periódico indicate that Rufián has not yet formally accepted the role. His close associates say he is evaluating the candidacy and insists on certain minimum conditions being met before committing. These include stronger internal party decision-making autonomy and the formation of broad left-wing alliances across provinces, including with other pro-independence and progressive forces. Sources close to Rufián warn that if these conditions are not met, he may step back from frontline politics entirely.
Alamany criticises Illa on funding and transport
Alamany used the occasion to criticise Salvador Illa, president of the Generalitat, over economic consequences linked to the early election call. She pointed out that the snap election will halt the legislative process on a proposed reform of Catalonia’s autonomous financing system, which could have delivered an estimated €4.7 billion in additional funding. According to El Periódico, the reform, which had been under negotiation between the Government, the Generalitat and ERC, required approval by the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy and subsequent parliamentary debate, both now derailed by the dissolution of the Cortes. Alamany also questioned Illa’s stance on the write-off of Catalonia’s debt under the Autonomous Liquidity Fund (FLA), amounting to €17.1 billion, and the transfer of management of Rodalies commuter rail services.
“We’ve lost three years due to Junts blocking every improvement for Catalans,” said Alamany in an interview with El Nacional, retransmitted by Europa Press.
Junqueras backs Rufián for national race
Oriol Junqueras, president of ERC, has publicly backed Rufián’s candidacy for the 29 November vote, stating: “He will surely be the candidate.” Junqueras confirmed that while Rufián leads the national campaign, he himself remains focused on the upcoming Catalan parliamentary elections, positioning ERC for a dual electoral strategy.
Barcelona municipal race also in focus
With the Catalan parliamentary election scheduled for May 2027, Alamany confirmed she will be ERC’s candidate for mayor of Barcelona, linking the two campaigns. She dismissed the idea that electoral campaigns should be limited to the official 15-day window, saying: “It’s a mistake to limit campaigns to just 15 days.” Instead, she argued, parties must maintain continuous engagement with citizens throughout the legislative term.
Amnesty and return of exiled leaders in debate
Alamany also referenced the potential return of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and Junqueras to active politics following the implementation of the political amnesty law. She argued that the return of key figures would help restore political normality in Catalonia, a view she intends to bring into the campaign discourse. The 29 November general election, called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on 10 October 2026, will determine the composition of the next Spanish parliament.
Reported by catalunyapress.es, elconstitucional.es, elperiodico.com, 20minutos.es, elpais.com, lavanguardia.com, parlament.cat, Parlament de Catalunya, catalunyapress.cat.
