Briefing
Barcelona, 5 November 2026 – The leadership of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has unveiled the campaign slogan Defensa't and positioned the party as a defender of Catalonia against the “threat” of a possible government alliance between Partido Popular and Vox The deputy secretary-general and spokesperson, Elisenda Alamany, said ERC wanted the slogan above all to mobilise voters and retain support among left-wing voters.
Alamany linked the appeal to specific social issues that are expected to play an important role in the campaign: rising living costs, a strained housing market, shortcomings in rail infrastructure and long waits for healthcare. According to the party, Gabriel Rufián is to lead the lists as its lead candidate on 29 November and appear at key events both in Catalonia and elsewhere — including in Madrid and in the Valencian Community — to underline the campaign’s significance beyond the region.
The leadership presents Defensa't as a call to defend political and linguistic rights, as well as social achievements. It has so far made no specific statements about possible majorities, coalitions or the distribution of seats at national level: Alamany spoke of a “risk scenario” without making specific predictions. Observers see the message as a deliberate focus on the left-versus-right divide, aimed at countering losses of support to other left-wing forces.
The backdrop is ongoing debate about the make-up of Spain’s future government. Polls and public debate repeatedly raise the possibility of a government project by Partido Popular and Vox, prompting regionally rooted parties such as Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya to position themselves strategically. Whether and in what form a change of government may emerge can only be judged after election day on 29 November 2026, on the basis of the official results.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).