Gabriel Rufián Emerges as a Leading Voice for Spain’s Left, But Can He Unite a Fragmented Opposition?
Gabriel Rufián, the spokesperson for Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) in the Spanish Congress, is gaining traction as a potential leader for the country’s progressive forces. A recent CIS (Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas) poll reveals that among Spaniards aged 35-55, Rufián is the preferred candidate for Prime Minister, surpassing Yolanda Díaz and Irene Montero.
Rising Popularity, But Still Behind the Main Contenders
Whereas Rufián’s appeal is growing, particularly within specific demographics, he currently ranks fourth overall in terms of preferred presidential candidates. According to the CIS data, 4.2% of Spaniards favor Rufián, trailing significantly behind Pedro Sánchez (25.3%), Santiago Abascal (10.2%), and Alberto Núñez Feijóo (9.9%). However, he outperforms other left-leaning figures like Isabel Díaz Ayuso (3.4%), Yolanda Díaz (3.1%), and Irene Montero (0.6%).
Demographic Breakdown: Where Rufián Shines
The CIS poll highlights a clear demographic pattern in Rufián’s support. He leads among voters aged 35-55, outperforming Díaz by 2.1 points and Montero by 6.2 points within that age group. This advantage extends to the 45-54 age bracket, where he leads Díaz by 3.8 points and Montero by 6.4 points. Among younger voters (18-24), Rufián also edges out his rivals, with 4.7% support compared to Díaz’s 3.5% and Montero’s 0.9%.
A History of Fragmentation on the Spanish Left
The Spanish left has faced challenges in forming a unified front. Past attempts, such as the alliance between Podemos and Izquierda Unida, and Yolanda Díaz’s Sumar initiative, have experienced varying degrees of success and internal divisions. Rufián’s current effort to unite parties to the left of the PSOE comes amid concerns about the rising strength of the far-right.
Historically, leaders of the Spanish left have garnered higher levels of support in similar polls. In 2022, Yolanda Díaz reached 19% support, and in 2019, Pablo Iglesias achieved 11.1%. Íñigo Errejón also previously surpassed Rufián’s current levels of support, reaching 6.9% in 2021.
Voting Patterns and Support Bases
Rufián enjoys strong support within his own party, with 15.8% of ERC voters favoring him as president. He also receives significant backing from Sumar voters (13.9%), only slightly behind Yolanda Díaz (18.6%). Interestingly, Rufián has more support among PSOE voters (5.4%) than Díaz (3.2%). He also performs well among voters with a secondary or vocational education.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Gabriel Rufián?
- Gabriel Rufián is a Spanish politician, interviewer, and activist, currently serving as the spokesperson for Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) in the Congress of Deputies.
- What is ERC?
- Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya is a Catalan republican left-wing political party.
- What does the CIS poll show about Rufián’s popularity?
- The CIS poll indicates that Rufián is the preferred candidate for Prime Minister among Spaniards aged 35-55, but he ranks fourth overall in national preferences.
