David Broncano’s interview with Gabriel Rufián, an ERC candidate, and Irene Montero, a Podemos representative running as a candidate, lasted about an hour. The joint appearance on La Revuelta took place on 27 October 2026, shortly after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had appeared on the programme. The two politicians moved from disputes over the left’s relationship with the PSOE to their contrasting positions on immigration and Catalonia’s future.
The most striking exchange came when Broncano asked whether they had been surprised by the allegations of harassment against Íñigo Errejón, a former Podemos founder who later became associated with Más Madrid. Rufián said he had been surprised. Montero said many people in Madrid knew about the allegations and argued that power can shield men from scrutiny.
She also urged people not to look away. A separate case involved complaints alleging abusive treatment by three former members of Tesh Sidi’s Congress team, filed with Más Madrid and Movimiento Sumar, as described in an earlier report.
Immigration produced another clear disagreement. Rufián argued that right-wing parties target migrants because they are poor, and described immigration as a challenge rather than a problem. He argued for addressing it through rights and obligations, with integration and border controls also part of his approach. Montero objected and shifted attention to what she called the real “invaders”: Airbnb and tourist flats. She argued that the debate over migration can crowd out scrutiny of tourist accommodation and investment funds buying homes in neighbourhoods.
Spain’s foreign-born population rose from 7.26 million in 2021 to 9.47 million in 2025, information from figures cited by Newtral from the National Statistics Institute. Over 2020–2025, the country’s housing stock increased by 475,848 homes, from about 26.6 million to 27.1 million, based on housing-ministry estimates.
On housing, the two found common ground. They proposed a 40 percent reduction in rents and compulsory acquisition of properties held by speculative funds for social housing. They also backed higher wages and a shorter working week, alongside increased taxation of wealth. Montero called for a ban on speculation and proposed taking homes from investment funds for social rent. Rufián said the government had taken some positive steps, including taxes on banks and the minimum income benefit. He also cited housing decrees, but argued that these measures had not stopped people living in poor-quality homes at very high prices. He called on the PSOE to face greater pressure over the issue.
Their disagreement over the left’s political strategy was more basic. Rufián said he wanted the existing government to continue, with parties including ERC and Podemos exerting greater pressure over its decisions. Montero said a basic obstacle to agreement was the pact with the PSOE, which she opposed. Podemos has nevertheless agreed to run with the Frente Amplio in the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands. The appearance took place amid failed negotiations over a unified nationwide progressive electoral list; the politicians discussed political alignment but did not announce a single national candidacy.
On Catalan independence, Rufián said he would vote yes in a referendum on self-determination. Montero said she would prefer Catalonia to remain in Spain but supports the right to vote. Rufián described Montero’s position as one held by people who would vote against independence while defending the right to decide.
The appearance followed Pedro Sánchez’s visit to La Revuelta a few days earlier. Rufián and Montero had announced plans to campaign together, despite not standing as part of a single left-wing candidacy.
