Barcelona, March 24 – The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has refused to host an upcoming event featuring Republican Gabriel Rufián and Podemos MEP Irene Montero. The event, titled “Que s’ha de fer” (What needs to be done), aims to discuss the future of the Spanish left and was scheduled for April 9. The university cited its policy of not hosting events of a “non-academic nature” as the reason for its decision.
UAB’s Stance on Non-Academic Events
The UAB’s communication department confirmed the refusal, which was initially reported by the Catalan newspaper Ara. A university spokesperson stated, “It is the University’s policy not to host events of a non-academic nature.” The university clarified that this was not a cancellation, as the request from Rufián and Montero’s teams had not been made public.
Xavier Domènech, a professor in the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at the UAB, and former Congressman and coordinator of Catalunya en Comú, is slated to moderate the discussion. Despite Domènech’s affiliation with the university, the institution maintained its policy.
Background to the Event and the Search for a Venue
The Barcelona event follows a successful similar gathering in Madrid on February 18, where Rufián and Más Madrid regional deputy Emilio Delgado emphasized the need for a deep reflection among progressive forces to the left of the PSOE. Their aim is to unite efforts and prevent a loss of parliamentary representation in the face of the rise of the far-right.
Organizers are now actively searching for an alternative venue in Barcelona for the April 9 discussion. The unexpected rejection by the UAB has added a new challenge to the planning of this highly anticipated political discussion.
Past Tensions and Incidents at UAB
The UAB, like most Catalan universities, has experienced periods of tension between pro-independence student unions and anti-secessionist organizations, such as S’ha Acabat, during the height of the ‘procés’ movement. S’ha Acabat has previously reported alleged cases of ideological discrimination on campus.
In October of last year, an unauthorized talk by far-right agitator Vito Quiles on the Bellaterra campus led to altercations, requiring intervention by the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police). The university subsequently issued a statement condemning the instrumentalization of the institution and Quiles’ irresponsibility in disregarding the ban on his event.
Internal Party Dynamics and Future Implications
The UAB’s decision to not host the event adds another layer of complexity to Rufián’s initiative, particularly regarding its reception within his own party, Esquerra Republicana (ERC). ERC’s leadership does not fully endorse Rufián’s proposed strategy of nationalist and state-level left-wing parties dividing provinces to avoid internal competition and maximize representation in general elections.
On Monday, ERC’s national spokesperson, Isaac Albert, reiterated the party’s differing views, while acknowledging the importance of the debate on the future of the left. “We share this reflection on the political moment we are living in, but we believe the best way to respond is for ERC to achieve the best possible results in Catalonia; for Bildu to do so in the Basque Country, BNG in Galicia, and Compromís in Valencia,” Albert stated, highlighting a focus on regional strength rather than broader alliances.
The search for a new venue and the internal political dynamics within ERC will undoubtedly shape the narrative surrounding this event, which aims to spark a crucial discussion about the direction of the Spanish left.
