The Comuns on 12 October 2026 strongly criticised ERC MP Gabriel Rufián after Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and Podemos officially announced an electoral agreement for the parliamentary election on 29 November 2026 . In a written statement, the Comuns accused Rufián of dividing the left rather than promoting a joint list.
According to consistent media reports, the agreement provides for Podemos to support Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya’s candidacy in Catalonia. Rufián and Podemos representatives, including Irene Montero, are accordingly expected to campaign together. These main points were made public on the same day.
The Comuns said their criticism was based on the view that the bilateral move made efforts to create a broader left-wing alliance more difficult, efforts in which the Comuns are also working alongside Izquierda Unida, Más Madrid and Sumar . In their view, the agreement shifts the balance of power within the left-wing spectrum to the detriment of a unified list.
Rufián and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, by contrast, defended the agreement as a pragmatic response to a fragmented political landscape. The aim, they said, was to achieve a stronger result against populist right-wing and conservative forces in the election on 29 November 2026. Rufián also urged people to avoid speculation and leaks and to continue talks between the parties.
The timetable is increasing pressure on all involved: the deadline for registering formal electoral coalitions is 16 October 2026. Until then, agreements could still be formalised or amended in law. Observers see the approach taken by Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and Podemos as a tactical commitment in advance that makes negotiations over a larger joint list more difficult, while also spurring efforts to avoid severing the last remaining links between the parties.
What is clear is that the move by Podemos and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya has changed the starting position in the left-wing camp. The direct effects on candidate lists, resource allocation and campaign mobilisation remain uncertain. What is certain, however, is that the remaining days until 16 October 2026 will have to bring clarity: either the separate approaches will be confirmed, or there will be a last-minute rapprochement after all. Statements about possible election results remain speculative; each of the parties points to what it sees as the better strategy for maximising left-wing seats.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).