Political Turmoil Ahead of ERC Congress: Internal Strife and Controversy Unraveled
As the countdown to the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) congress intensifies, political tensions are escalating within the party. Reports have surfaced that current general secretary Marta Rovira has weighed in on controversial derogatory posters aimed at the Maragall brothers, suggesting the divisive actions could inadvertently produce a wave of solidarity votes for the party in the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for 2023.
Catalunya Ràdio revealed that Rovira expressed her thoughts in an internal chat, where images of the offensive posters—linked to Alzheimer’s—were shared. These posters, originating from within ERC, have ignited a firestorm of debate and concern. Rovira indicated that the party could leverage the backlash from this aggressive campaign, stating, "If we denounce it, we might garner a few votes of solidarity."
Additionally, the report highlighted that the leadership had been made aware of the decision to execute these actions almost a year ago, and Rovira called for a procedural response from the leadership under the guise of a communications campaign referred to as "the B." This euphemism covers up the organization's participation in launching campaigns while masking its identity.
In a following press conference, ERC's spokesperson in the Parlament, Marta Vilalta, defended the party’s actions, claiming the recent disclosures added no new information. According to her, the leaks predominantly consisted of private messages exchanged among colleagues and were strategically released to damage Rovira's reputation.
Vilalta acknowledged the internal crisis currently plaguing ERC, emphasizing the need for resolution at the extraordinary national congress set for November 30. She hinted at the involvement of the party's former president, Oriol Junqueras, encouraging all potential leaders to act with responsibility and foresight by articulating concrete projects to regain public trust.
Moreover, Vilalta reaffirmed that ERC is committed to addressing the embarrassment stemming from the controversial posters. The leadership has repeatedly apologized to Ernest Maragall, ERC's candidate for mayor of Barcelona, shedding light on the ongoing implications of the leaked information.
In light of the emerging crisis, Vilalta pointed out that four proceedings have been initiated against key figures implicated in the controversy, including Tolo Moya, the party member behind the execution of the posters, Sergi Sabrià, former Deputy Minister of Strategy and Communication, and Marc Colomer, former Deputy Secretary General of Communication and Strategy of ERC. The party intends to pursue legal action against Moya for leaking confidential information to the media, as announced back in July.
The unfolding narrative suggests a party at a crossroads, grappling with internal divisions and the need for clarity and accountability. As the congress approaches, all eyes will be on ERC as it faces the challenging task of uniting its ranks while scrambling to mitigate the fallout from the recent controversies.
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