Rufián limits candidacy to Catalonia, praises Montero as potential leader

Gabriel Rufián, ERC's spokesperson in the Spanish Congress, has ruled out leading a nationwide left-wing unity list, stating his role as a candidate is limited to Catalonia. He praised Podemos MEP Irene Montero as having "everything to be a huge candidate" and expressed hope for joint efforts in Catalonia. Source: infobae, elmundoes

The Catalonia focus

Rufián emphasized that his candidacy is for Catalonia, not for a national front. "As a candidate, Catalonia," he said, while offering to help similar initiatives elsewhere through his presence. Source: elmundoes He expressed a desire for a "front" in Catalonia, believing the region can be "inspiration and reflection for other regions." Source: infobae

Reaction to Montero's call

Responding to Irene Montero's proposal for open primaries in Podemos to select a candidate for a unity list, Rufián endorsed the idea: "Whoever can unite, let them unite." He called Montero "an enormous candidate" and hoped they could "do things jointly in Catalonia." Source: infobae, elmundoes

Background and disagreements

Sources differ on the trajectory of Rufián's ambitions. ABC reports that his push for a left-wing front has failed, citing lack of support from ERC leadership and other parties like EH Bildu and Más Madrid. Source: abces In contrast, infobae and elmundoes present his statements as a current position without framing it as a retreat. ABC also claims Rufián now eyes the ERC candidacy for the Generalitat, contingent on the Constitutional Court's ruling on Oriol Junqueras's amnesty. Source: abces