Desperation in Erc to Not Lose La Generalitat

On October 7, 2022, Junts per Catalunya decided to leave the coalition with ERC in the Govern after consulting the membership. The wear and tear of Esquerra governing alone, the electoral collapse of the pro-independence movement, and the post-electoral deadlock in Spain have opened a new and unexpected scenario.

Pere Aragonès's Govern would be willing to reopen the doors to Junts in exchange for Pedro Sánchez's investiture. This was expressed by ERC's spokesperson, Raquel Sans, in an interview on channel 3/24. "Our will is to reach an understanding," she stated, "and all scenarios are open."

All Scenarios Open

Oriol Junqueras and Pere Aragonès's party has presented its offer to Junts to negotiate together the investiture of Pedro Sánchez. But the agreement will not be easy. ERC presents a minimal proposal with the intention of facilitating the investiture, while Junts maintains self-determination as a non-negotiable point.

In Esquerra, they insist that "concessions must be made by both parties" and encourage "building strategic unity away from the media spotlight." Teresa Jordà, ERC's number two in Congress, has opened the door for Junts to participate in the dialogue table. This is how spaces for understanding between republicans and post-convergents are opening up.

More and more voices are calling on Pere Aragonès to call early elections. Faced with its situation of extreme weakness, ERC is exploring all scenarios to guarantee parliamentary stability and be able to complete the legislature. This also involves redirecting its relations with Puigdemont's party.

Objective, Not to Lose the Generalitat

The elections of July 23 have opened an unexpected scenario in Catalonia. Paradoxically, just at the most critical moment, in the midst of an internal war and with decreasing electoral support, the pro-independence movement has found itself with a historic opportunity. They have the governability of Spain in their hands and can use it to formulate their demands.

If until recently the bridges between ERC and Junts were broken, now they are forced to negotiate and the famous "strategic unity of independence" is being talked about again. The distance between them is still as great as the rivalry to take control of the Procés. But the investiture of the Spanish government is already causing a new correlation of forces in Catalonia.

If the pro-independence parties manage to resume strategic unity, it is not out of the question that Junts will re-enter the Govern. Additionally, ERC could agree with PSOE on Sánchez's investiture in exchange for Salvador Illa not calling for early elections in Catalonia. And all of ERC's strategies are subordinated to one obsession, not to lose the Generalitat.