Maragall rejects pro-independence unity ticket to win Barcelona

Ernest Maragall, Catalonia’s foreign affairs minister and ERC party’s most likely candidate for Barcelona mayor, has rejected joining a unity ticket encompassing all pro-independence parties to win the local election in 2019.

When Alfred Bosch stepped down as ERC’s leader on Friday and supported Maragall as his successor, politicians in other pro-independence groups called once again for a joint candidacy—a possibility that ERC, once again, ruled out.

"I leave the door open to those who like ERC’s project," said Maragall in an interview with Catalonia’s public radio. He hinted at the possibility of having people outside the party joining his candidacy.