Barcelona’s Autonomous University has declined to host a planned event featuring Gabriel Rufián and Irene Montero on April 9, citing its policy of not accommodating non-academic events. The decision comes as the two Spanish political figures aim to discuss the future of the left, a conversation gaining urgency amid shifting political alliances and concerns about fragmentation.
The university confirmed its decision to deny use of its facilities, stating that its policy is to not host events of a “non-academic character,” according to reports. The location of the event had not been publicly announced prior to the university’s decision.
Rufián, a spokesperson for Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya in the Spanish Congress, and Montero, a European Parliament member from Podemos, are organizing the forum under the title Què s’ha de fer? (“What has to be done?”). The event is expected to include former leader of Catalunya en Comú, Xavier Domènech, as a moderator, according to RTVE.
The discussion is intended as a debate on the state of the progressive political space in Spain, but organizers have clarified it is not directly related to potential electoral pacts. This event follows a similar gathering held in Madrid on February 18, where Rufián and Emilio Delgado, a spokesperson for Más Madrid, discussed the need for unity on the left.
Rufián has increasingly emphasized the importance of a unified front among left-leaning parties in recent months, particularly following the results of regional elections in Castilla y León. He recently expressed frustration with the potential for defeat if the left remains divided, stating, “I am tired of seeing this space heading for a huge defeat,” and warning that “reality” will “run over” the various formations if they fail to unite.
