ERC blames former leaders for offensive Maragall poster campaign

The Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has concluded a two-year internal investigation into the offensive posters targeting the Maragall brothers during the 2023 municipal election campaign. The investigation identifies former vice-secretaries of communication, Sergi Sabrià and Marc Colomer, as the primary individuals responsible for the campaign, labeling their actions a “serious infraction.”

The controversial posters appeared at various ERC headquarters with the slogan “Fora l'Alzheimer de Barcelona” (Out with Alzheimer's from Barcelona), featuring images of Ernest Maragall and his brother, former President of the Generalitat Pasqual Maragall. The campaign aimed to provoke indignation and solidarity for Ernest Maragall by weaponizing the memory of his brother's illness.

The report also assigns secondary responsibility to former communications director Tolo Moya and a militant from Anoia, noting they acted under instructions. While the party has officially blamed Sabrià and Colomer, no disciplinary proceedings will be opened against them as they are no longer members of the party. The findings suggest the existence of a parallel structure within the communications department used to launch covert campaigns.