The spokesperson for ERC in Congress, Gabriel Rufián, has emphasized that access to housing has become a capital issue that, in his opinion, "is already sweeping the left," and has criticized the PSOE, accusing it of "social cowardice" and "blocking" the initiatives presented on this matter.
During an interview on the program 'Salvados' on La Sexta, several citizens have addressed current issues, including the unity of leftist forces and the main social challenges, such as housing and migration.
In this context, Rufián has defended that housing is today the great political challenge. "Nothing we have done, nothing this Government has done, no matter how good it is, and there have been very good things, will serve if you do not solve the housing issue," the republican deputy has pointed out. "Housing, in fact, is already sweeping the left," he has reiterated.
In response to this problem, the ERC leader has proposed raising taxes on those who "have empty apartments for no reason" and setting limits on rental prices. He has also recalled that different groups in Congress have registered an initiative to increase the tax burden starting from the third property owned.
However, he has accused the PSOE of "blocking" these measures and has maintained that Pedro Sánchez's party systematically opts for "the worst option." In this sense, he has warned the head of the Executive that he will end up "out" due to his "cowardice in social matters."
"It is a party that every time it can choose, chooses the worst option (...) every time it has been able to choose between a precarious tenant who can no longer pay not only for an apartment but for a room; and a large owner, it has chosen the large owner," he has exemplified.
According to Rufián, the PSOE "is afraid of power" and, although it occupies Moncloa, "does not command," but acts "disciplined" by a "part of the State." Therefore, he has urged them to promote deep changes in housing policy through a royal decree approved in the Council of Ministers.
At the same time, he has focused on speculation as the root of the problem. "There are foreigners who buy 40, 50, 60 apartments and rent them for 1,500 bucks a month (...) the dangerous minority, the dangerous migrant is that," he has denounced.
"There is a moment when you have to limit, it cannot be savagery or the law of the strongest or the jungle where every month the rent goes up for no reason. I believe that this can be capped and in fact there are experiences in some countries where this has been done," he argued, defending the possibility of imposing ceilings on prices.
Far-right and unity of the left
At another moment in the interview, when asked about his proposal to articulate a common leftist space and whether he would accept to lead a united candidacy, he admitted that he does not see himself "beyond" Catalonia. "It would be to falsify myself," he explained.
Even so, he left open the option of agreements with forces like Podemos and defended that in Catalonia it is indeed feasible to raise "that front" of the left. He reiterated that the goal must be "not to screw each other over" and "not to steal votes from each other," and warned that if they do not reach agreements, "we deserve to be swept away."
Rufián also warned that in the upcoming Catalan elections, formations like Vox or Aliança Catalana could significantly increase their representation.
"Catalonia with this is in a dilemma that can either make it proud or can embarrass it. And I bet that Catalonia inspires, and that yes, we are capable of making a front there, that can help the rest," he concluded.