Junts claims to be only strictly Catalan party ahead of Spanish elections

Junts candidate Miriam Nogueras has positioned her party as the "only party of strictly Catalan obedience" in the upcoming 29 November general election, directly challenging ERC over its alliance with Podemos. Speaking in Sant Celoni (Barcelona) on 24 October, Nogueras argued that during the previous legislature Junts placed Catalonia "at the centre of practically all decisions taken in Madrid" Source: infobae.

The ERC-Podemos alliance

Nogueras criticised ERC for forming a coalition with "a Spanish left-wing party and, therefore, of obedience to Spain" Source: El Español. This comes as ERC's lead candidate Gabriel Rufián and Podemos candidate Irene Montero held a joint pre-campaign rally in Barcelona. Nogueras claimed that for some parties, "the priority ends up being obeying Spanish parties, allying with Spanish parties, letting themselves be dragged by the extremes" Source: infobae.

Healthcare achievements

Nogueras highlighted Junts' role in accelerating access to certain cancer treatments, particularly for metastatic breast cancer. She noted that Spain is "one of the EU governments that delays the most the accessibility of certain medicines" already authorised, and that Junts used its parliamentary strength to force faster access Source: infobae. According to Nogueras, while the law gives governments 180 days to make medicines accessible, the central executive "in many cases takes even more than 600 days" Source: infobae.

Looking ahead

Nogueras called for a stronger Junts presence after 29 November, stating: "The more force and the louder Catalonia's voice is, Catalonia advances" Source: El Español. She argued that greater parliamentary strength would allow Junts to continue pressuring the Spanish government on issues ranging from healthcare to Catalan interests.