Rufián and Montero Discuss Left-Wing Alliances to Stop Far Right Rise

Gabriel Rufián, the parliamentary spokesperson for the Republicans (ERC) in Madrid, and Irene Montero, a Member of the European Parliament and leading figure in Podemos, held a joint event in Barcelona on April 9, 2026. The meeting focused on the future of the Spanish left and the proposal to create a unified national electoral front to counter the rise of the far right.

The event was moderated by Xavier Domènech, the former leader of the Comuns. During the dialogue, Rufián and Montero urged progressive parties to seek new electoral formulas to prevent the growth of right-wing movements. Rufián proposed that ERC should inspire a left-wing alliance, while Montero called for the parties to share a electoral path.

Internal Friction Within ERC

The proposal for a broad left-wing front has created significant tension within ERC. The party’s leadership has repeatedly distanced itself from the project, and some members have called for the party’s disciplinary committee to address Rufián’s disobedience.

Oriol Junqueras, the president of ERC, did not attend the April 9 event, citing agenda matters. Sources indicate that Junqueras has emphatically rejected Rufián’s proposal during a recent national council of ERC. The party leadership has expressed annoyance that Rufián is moving forward with the proposal without first discussing it internally with the party.

Responding to Junqueras’ absence hours before the event, Rufián described Junqueras as a friend and the best politician of the last decades, expressing hope that he becomes the president of Catalonia.

Electoral Motivations and Context

The push for unity follows a significant electoral setback for the radical left in the Castilla y León regional elections. In that contest, both Podemos and Sumar failed to win any seats in the regional parliament.

Zero seats to the left of the PSOE. Doing nothing (or doing the same old thing) is pure negligence.

Gabriel Rufián

Ione Belarra, the general secretary of Podemos, supported the alliance between Montero and Rufián, stating she could not think of a better team to provide hope that the country could be governed from the left. Montero also expressed her support for teaming up with Rufián in the next general elections, emphasizing the need for citizens to see leaders willing to play and win the game against the far right.

Key Themes of the Dialogue

During the Barcelona event, the two leaders addressed several strategic and ideological points regarding the current state of Spanish politics:

• Security and Feminism: Montero questioned when the left stopped discussing security, asserting that feminism gives me more security than all the missiles.
• Voter Outreach: Rufián argued that the left should not insult the voter of Vox and Aliança Catalana, noting that not all are fascists.
• Past Conflicts: Acknowledging the friction between various left-wing factions, Rufián stated that the parties have to talk regardless of the putadas (spiteful acts) committed in the past. Montero added that what they can achieve in the future is more important than anything from the past.
• Electoral Strategy: Montero stated there is no specific electoral science to stop the right, but argued that the fundamental condition is not to give up on dreaming of a different society.

Broader Political Landscape

The discussion on unity occurs as Spain prepares for its next general election, which must be held no later than August 22, 2027. The current government is a coalition formed by the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and Sumar, with support from Together for Catalonia (Junts).

This third term of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been marked by tensions with the opposition People’s Party (PP) and the far-right party Vox. The administration has also faced an affordable housing crisis, rising costs of living, and several corruption probes, including the Koldo case.

On an international level, the government has navigated the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Gaza war, the tariff policies of the second Trump administration, and the economic impacts of the 2026 Iran war.