Pro-independence ERC: dialogue to 'defend Catalonia' against the right 

Esquerra Republicana, the left-wing pro-independence party in power in Catalonia, is portraying the July 23 Spanish elections as a crucial turning point in history. 

To them, it is a moment that could signify the return of the right and far-right - and therefore attacks on Catalonia - or a victory for their defense of the Catalan language and culture, women's rights, and the public health system. 

Esquerra Republicana candidate Gabriel Rufián summed up his party's stance at a recent campaign event, urging attendees to vote for them "for every time someone has told you not to think, love, or speak in Catalan, for every time a boss has exploited you, a fascist has insulted you, or you've had to take an awful [Rodalies] train."

Progressive policies and independence

The last political term, with a minority Socialist-Podemos left-wing coalition government in Madrid, was marked by last-minute deals and negotiations beyond party lines in order to get legislation passed. 

Esquerra is capitalizing on this, highlighting their role in getting a law limiting rent increases passed as well as in raising pensions and the minimum wage. 

And according to Esquerra, if it weren't for them, the 2017 independence referendum organizers would still be in prison. Unlike the other pro-independence parties, who they say have adopted a strategy of "saying no to everything," Esquerra helped secure their pardons and reform the criminal code, doing away with the crime of sedition.

The party, one of Catalonia's oldest, is less confrontational than its pro-independence counterparts as it favors dialogue between the Spanish and Catalan governments, and says it wants to get Madrid to accept an internationally-recognized referendum on Catalan independence. 

Esquerra, still key in Madrid?

Polls suggest Esquerra won't do as well this time around as it did in late 2019, losing 3 to 5 seats and obtaining only 8 to 10, slightly ahead of Junts and therefore becoming, once again, the most-voted pro-independence party. 

But even though it seems poised to lose seats in Congress, it could still, once again, play a key role in Spanish politics if the right and far-right bloc falls short of a majority.

"It is key to strengthen the Basque and Catalan independence parties, ERC and EH Bildu," Rufían argued while on the campaign trail. This, he says, will "force the Socialists to make deals with the left."

As was the case in early 2020, Esquerra may be needed to back a potential left-wing coalition in Madrid - but this time around, the party has pledged to discuss the matter with its fellow pro-independence Junts and CUP first.