Gabriel Rufián wants to continue representing Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) in Congress. The spokesperson cleared up one of the doubts surrounding his political future this Thursday with a message on X, published after it emerged that his party is preparing an alternative in case he ultimately does not lead the candidacy for November 29. His desire to repeat comes with conditions and a commitment to collaborate with other left-wing forces.
"I want to represent Esquerra Republicana. And I am trying to do so with minimal conditions to be able to face what is coming with sufficient guarantees and courage," he wrote. Rufián adds that he wants to do it "accompanied by other left-wing and anti-fascist forces because this cannot be won alone". "And I will try until the end. And hopefully ERC also wants it," he concludes before warning that he will not enter into "any soap opera" nor will he "badmouth anyone."
Una cosa.
— Gabriel Rufián (@gabrielrufian) October 8, 2026
Yo quiero representar a Esquerra Republicana.
Y lo estoy intentando hacer con unas mínimas condiciones para poder enfrentarnos con suficientes garantías y arrestos a lo que viene.
Y lo estoy intentando hacer acompañado de otras fuerzas de izquierdas y…
The message clarifies his first option after several days without confirming if he would run for ERC. It also reveals the point that remains pending between Rufián and the party leadership. The deputy wants guarantees to face the campaign and to carry out his work if he obtains the seat again. According to Cadena SER, among his requests is to have more decision-making capacity in the management of the future parliamentary group.
ERC wants to count on him, but prepares an alternative
The president of ERC, Oriol Junqueras, assured this same week that Rufián would be the candidate and presented him as the best name to head the list. The negotiation, however, continues. Republican sources cited by 'Público' have indicated that the leadership is studying other options if the differences are not resolved, while Rufián demands greater influence in the composition of the candidacy and the team that would work with him in Madrid.
In that context, Jordi Albert, deputy spokesperson for ERC in the Parliament and a leader close to Junqueras, has begun to collect endorsements. His movement allows the party to prepare for an eventual candidacy without Rufián. The leadership itself continues to place the current spokesperson as its first option, according to sources close to Junqueras cited by SER.
The discussion has a specific internal dimension. Rufián aspires to decide more about the lists and the functioning of the group in Congress, while the leadership reminds that the election of candidacies follows a procedure in which the party's organs participate. His public message confirms that he wants to reach an agreement with ERC, although he also makes it clear that he is still waiting for a response to his conditions.
Contacts with Colau, Montero and the Frente Amplio
The reference to running "accompanied" comes as conversations in the alternative left intensify. Sources from the Frente Amplio consulted by 'ElConstitucional.es' confirm that contacts with Rufián have accelerated in recent days and that he maintains frequent communication with Ada Colau and Irene Montero. These conversations have not resulted in an electoral agreement nor has Rufián announced that he will leave ERC.
The spokesperson has been defending formulas for collaboration between progressive and anti-fascist forces for months for the general elections. His publication this Thursday links that proposal with his desire to represent Esquerra. He therefore raises two questions to his party before 29N: the conditions under which he would head the list and the possibility of working with other organizations given the political scenario he foresees.
Colau has called for a broad candidacy to the left of the PSOE that includes Podemos, while Montero maintains her proposal for open primaries for October 14 and 15. Rufián's possible participation in a shared formula is still undefined. For now, the deputy has expressed that he will try until the end to reach an understanding with ERC.
The immediate deadline is within the party itself. Rufián and the leadership have until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. to close an agreement within the framework of the endorsement process. ERC plans to announce its complete candidacy on October 17.
