ERC Leader Junqueras Endorses Gabriel Rufián as Candidate for Upcoming General Election

Oriol Junqueras, president of the Catalan pro‑independence party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), said he will back Gabriel Rufián as ERC’s lead candidate in the forthcoming Spanish general elections. Junqueras described Rufián as “a magnificent candidate, a friend and a long‑time companion” and affirmed that the party’s base will decide his nomination.

Junqueras also urged the rival pro‑independence group Junts to support Catalonia‑focused initiatives, such as debt forgiveness for the regional liquidity fund and a new financing model, warning that persistent infighting could drive voters toward “any useless” option. He called for a joint strategy to defend Catalan interests despite Junts’ opposition to the proposed investment consortium.

The endorsement follows internal debates within ERC over a more unified left‑wing electoral platform and comes as recent polls indicate a surge for the Aliança Catalana alliance at Junts’ expense.