Inés Granollers Bids for Continuity in Lleida
Inés Granollers, current MP for Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), has announced her intention to stand again as head of the party’s list in Lleida for the upcoming general election on 29 November 2026. Representing ERC in the Congress of Deputies during the current legislature, Granollers described the moment as crucial for defending Catalan rights, freedoms and interests in Madrid. Granollers, whose full name is Inés Granollers Cunillera, has served in the XV Legislature as a deputy for Lleida, a role she seeks to continue. In a statement on 7 October, she highlighted ongoing challenges in housing access, rural mobility, public services, healthcare and economic development across Lleida’s comarques.
Internal Party Process Underway
Her announcement comes during ERC’s internal candidate selection process, triggered after the early election call. All candidates must gather endorsements equivalent to 5% of local party membership between 6 and 11 October, or secure backing from one-third of the National Executive or one-quarter of the National Council. Granollers will need to complete this process to secure the top spot on the list. The outcome of internal endorsements remains pending, with uncertainty also surrounding whether national figure Gabriel Rufián will stand elsewhere on the ERC slate.
Constitutional Ruling Paves Way for Amnesty
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court notified the Supreme Court on 7 October of its ruling supporting amnesty for misappropriation charges against leaders of the independence process, including former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. The decision, reported by RTVE and confirmed in documents accessed by the outlet, allows for the potential application of amnesty under the new legal framework. Judge Pablo Llarena, who lifted Puigdemont’s arrest order earlier in the week, has now opened a five-day window for the Public Prosecutor and other parties in the case to file allegations. The Supreme Court must review the Constitutional Court’s decision before determining whether to apply amnesty formally.
Doctors’ Strike Continues Despite Election Call
Separately, the Catalan Doctors’ Association confirmed it will maintain its indefinite strike of medical practitioners starting from 28 October, despite the election date. The union stated that health authorities still have the capacity to implement improvements and that the government is not fully functioning, according to reports from ABC and El Nacional.
Primary sources: granollers.cat. Reported by ua1.cat, RTVE Noticias, elnacional.cat, Carlota Pastor of, naciodigital.cat, Alexis Sánchez of, segre.com, congreso.es, abc.es, democrata.es, UA1 Lleida 104.5 FM.
