Junqueras faces new crisis at ERC: Girona candidate resigns after scandal over leaked audio in which he criticized colleagues

Oriol Junqueras, president of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), faces a new internal crisis as the party's candidate for Girona, Marc Puigtié, resigns following the leak of an audio recording in which he criticized his colleagues. The resignation comes amid growing tensions within ERC ahead of municipal elections scheduled for next year. Puigtié had been selected as the candidate through a controversial primary process endorsed by Junqueras himself. The audio, released by the Instagram account Girona Perduda, featured a conversation between Puigtié and Travis Agustín Gómez Mora, an influencer linked to far-right circles. In the recording, Puigtié reportedly stated, “My intention was to throw them all out and keep Esquerra, and then use their electoral resources.” This revelation has sparked significant controversy within the party and among its supporters. The incident occurred two days after the audio was made public, prompting Puigtié to send an apology letter to the party’s membership. Despite this, ERC opened an investigation into the matter, emphasizing that the process would be conducted with due guarantees and respect for the rights of those involved. On Thursday, Puigtié officially announced his resignation as the candidate for the upcoming municipal elections. In a statement, ERC expressed respect for Puigtié’s decision and thanked him for his “commitment, generosity, and sense of responsibility.” However, the party sought to downplay the crisis, stating that Girona’s branch of ERC would enter a “new stage” aimed at building a “solid alternative for the city.” Pau Presas, president of ERC’s regional federation in Girona, acknowledged that errors had occurred during the controversy. He reaffirmed the party’s stance against far-right forces, stressing that democratic health in the country is at stake. “From Esquerra, we will remain totally inflexible toward the far right,” Presas declared. Puigtié previously served as mayor of Sant Julià de Ramis and narrowly won the primaries in September to become the candidate for Girona’s mayoral election, securing 28 votes to his opponent’s 27. His victory was challenged by his rival, though the ERC’s Guarantees Commission later confirmed his candidacy. The leaked audio has raised questions about the integrity of the selection process and the alignment of candidates with the party’s values. While Puigtié’s resignation appears to have quelled immediate backlash, the incident highlights ongoing challenges within ERC as it prepares for the municipal elections. The party must now address concerns over internal cohesion and ensure its candidates reflect its ideological commitments. ERC’s leadership has emphasized that while individuals may change, the projects they work on for the common good continue. This message aims to reassure members and voters that the party remains focused on its broader goals despite individual setbacks. However, the episode underscores the delicate balance ERC must maintain between internal unity and external political strategy. As the municipal election campaign approaches, the party faces pressure to demonstrate resilience and clarity in its messaging. The situation in Girona serves as a microcosm of the larger challenges facing ERC, particularly in maintaining public trust and organizational stability. With the next election cycle fast approaching, the outcome of this crisis could influence the party’s trajectory in the region.