Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya
Catalan pro-independence left party.
Founded in 1931, ERC links its campaign for an independent Catalan state to a programme of social equality. It works through municipal and parliamentary politics at several levels.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why does ERC back Barcelona's surcharge while demanding stronger housing measures?
Timeline for Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya
Voted for the surcharge
Nomads & Communities: Spain lets towns tax tourist-flat ownersBackground
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, usually known as ERC, means Republican Left of Catalonia. The party combines a republican political identity with support for Catalan independence. Its stated aim is a fairer society with fewer inequalities between people and territories, which it argues is best pursued through an independent Catalan state within Europe.
ERC participates in municipal politics as well as Catalan, Spanish and European parliamentary institutions. These settings involve different decisions: a council vote concerns a local measure, while the party's national programme concerns Catalonia's political future. Support for a particular housing proposal can therefore coexist with criticism of the government's wider approach. Its position on one ordinance does not by itself describe an electoral alliance or replace the party's broader programme.
Reference
What does ERC stand for?
How did ERC vote on Barcelona's tourist-flat surcharge?
What further housing action did ERC seek?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.