On 2026-10-16, the deadline for presenting election lists arrived, a date on which the failed attempt to achieve a unified left-wing candidacy was confirmed.
Gabriel Rufián, ERC’s top candidate and leader of the Republicans in the Congress, openly acknowledged that he had failed to achieve a left-wing unity candidacy for the upcoming elections. He stated that the goal of a common list had not been met.
Rufián said he was very close to failing and wanted to ask for pardon. He expressed regret for not convincing the other left-wing parties to join a single candidacy, framing his shortcoming as a collective disappointment.
He doubted that resigning would spare more disappointment, believing that his departure might aggravate the sense of letdown already felt by supporters.
Rufián described the situation as a "dantesco espectáculo," a characterization that highlighted the dramatic tension surrounding the left's internal division.
He reiterated his assessment with the blunt words: "He fracasado, hemos fracasado."
Rufián revealed that he had contemplated stepping down after the failure. He doubted that resigning would spare more disappointment, believing that his departure might aggravate the sense of letdown already felt by supporters.
When told that the parties were not ready for unity, Rufián responded that such a claim meant the organizations were not truly representing the constituents they claimed to serve.
He lamented that the same faces that had populated left-wing politics for years were still present, only older and now carrying more animosity.
Rufián said he had hoped for a genuine united front, specifically an agreement between Comunes and ERC, but judged that such a deal was unlikely to materialize given the current dynamics.
While criticizing many left-wing parties for their unwillingness to unite, Rufián singled out Podemos as an exception, noting that he did not direct his reproaches toward that formation.
The chronology notes that Comunes voiced criticism toward Rufián, indicating that his frank assessment was not welcomed by all parties involved in the talks.
Despite the possibility of leaving, Rufián concluded that remaining in the race was his responsibility. He argued that his continued presence could still generate votes, whereas walking away would likely deepen the disappointment already caused.