ERC leader opens door to dialogue with unionist parties

The Esquerra Republicana (ERC) party should try to reach agreement with other left-wing parties, even those opposed to a Catalan republic. That's according to ERC MP in the Spanish Congress, Joan Tardà. Amid the talks with Junts per Catalunya to form a new Catalan government, Tardà is the first ERC leader to suggest that his party look for broad political agreement, including with unionist parties, such as the Catalan socialists. Tardà thus opened the door to a new option for forming a government.

The MP in Spain’s legislative chamber said that "Catalan republicanism should come together with other political forces that support a binding referendum," such as Catalunya en Comú-Podem. Yet, Tardà went further and even suggested that his party should "open channels for frank dialogue with the Catalan socialists," despite their opposition to a referendum.