The Historical Heritage of ERC and its Current Role
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has been consolidated as an essential reference of the Catalan national left since its inception. Founded during the Conference of Lefts of 1931, its creation was the result of the merger of several republican and Catalanist entities, including the Estat Català of Macià and the Partit Republicanà Català of Companys. This amalgamation of forces allowed ERC to build a solid network that covered the entire territory, with the intention of creating a popular nation that would counter the bourgeois notion of nation.
National Sovereignty: An Essential Objective
With the closure of the Process, the aspiration for sovereignty not only persists but also intensifies. Now, ERC finds itself faced with the responsibility of leading a new strategic rearmament of sovereignty, at a time when Catalan society is seeking a clear articulation of a space that combines sovereignty and left-wing values. The need to make strategic alliances is more important than ever, as highlighted by analyst Jordi Muñoz, who underlines the importance of projecting horizons of social transformation.
Data that Reveals the Social Crisis
The current situation in Catalonia presents numerous social challenges. Approximately 42% of the population depends on social benefits, with an alarming number of people at risk of exclusion. Housing insecurity has also become a chronic problem, with rental prices skyrocketing unsustainably. The data shows that, if effective measures are not taken, inequality will continue to grow, particularly affecting children and migrant families.
A Commitment to the Future: Towards a United Left
In order to face the social and environmental challenges that await us, it is essential that the Catalan left establishes a policy focused on the prosperity of the majority. This involves creating an environment that promotes access to housing, decent work and quality public services. The agenda must also include the fight against climate change and the defense of cultural and gender identities.
A Proposal for the Union of Left Forces
Nova Esquerra Nacional has suggested convening a Conference of the Sovereignist and Independentist Lefts for the fall of 2025. This initiative seeks to unify strategies between left-wing organizations and prepare the republican assault on the 2027 municipal elections. The city councils thus become the core of the fight for self-determination and social justice.
A Shared Future: Final Reflections
Faced with a complex and changing reality, the Catalan left must be reborn as a space of consensus and action that defends the rights and needs of its citizens. The Catalan language, as a pillar of identity, must be the tool that unites efforts and drives true social transformation. Now is the time to opt for a significant change, a change that not only seeks political sovereignty, but also prosperity and social justice for all.
