# ERC and Podem Catalunya agree joint election bid 12 October 2026 at 18:06 > Gabriel Rufián and Irene Montero will lead a joint candidacy for the upcoming general elections across all four Catalan provinces. **ERC** and **Podem Catalunya** are finalising a deal to run together across the four Catalan provinces for the general elections on 29 November. The joint candidacy is set to be led by ERC spokesperson **Gabriel Rufián** and Podemos MEP and former minister **Irene Montero**. The parties are weighing the names ERC-Podem or ERC with Podemos independents. ERC confirmed Rufián as head of the list, a move to be formalised on 11 October 2026. The agreement may also see Rufián campaigning with Podemos throughout the rest of the Spanish State. While **Frente Amplio** members called for Rufián to lead their ticket, the coalition has no Madrid head. Ada Colau backed Rufián to unify the state-level left, though Comuns expressed regret that he did not participate in the construction of the Frente Amplio. #ERCpodem2026 [#GabrielRufian]() [#IreneMontero]() [#Catalonia]() [#SpanishElections]() ## Related news ## [Barcelona court clears path for man's euthanasia]() 19 October 2026 at 18:23 ## [Judge lifts arrest warrants for Carles Puigdemont]() 19 October 2026 at 10:48 ## [Red weather alert issued for three Catalan counties]() 17 October 2026 at 14:49 ## [Rufián admits left-wing unity deal is impossible]() 16 October 2026 at 17:37 ## [Gabriel Rufián to lead ERC list for Barcelona]() 11 October 2026 at 12:19