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| Communists of Catalonia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Communists of Catalonia |
| Native name | Comunistes de Catalunya |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Barcelona |
| Country | Spain |
Communists of Catalonia are a political organization based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, formed by activists and cadres from leftist currents to coordinate communist activity across Catalonia. The group emerged amid debates within the Communist Party of Spain and United Left over strategy toward Catalan institutions such as the Parliament of Catalonia and municipal bodies like Barcelona City Council, aligning with broader European trends including the Party of the European Left and interactions with movements linked to the European Left Party. The organization participates in electoral coalitions and social movements connected to trade unions and grassroots platforms.
The formation traces to splits and reconfigurations involving the Communist Party of Spain, Communist Party of the Valencian Country, and activists from the Invisible University milieu, influenced by events such as the 2008 financial crisis, the Spanish general election, 2011, and the Catalan independence movement. Early activity intersected with protests during the 15-M Movement and collaboration with Podemos (Spanish political party), while debates engaged figures associated with the Second Spanish Republic historiography and commemorations of the Spanish Civil War. The group consolidated after meetings in Barcelona and Girona and interactions with municipal actors from Badalona and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.
The organization is structured into local cells across Catalan comarques including Baix Llobregat, Gironès, and Alt Empordà, with federated assemblies modeled on frameworks used by the Portuguese Communist Party and elements of the French Communist Party. Internal organs include a central committee, regional secretariats, and youth sections that coordinate with groups such as the Communist Youth Union of Spain and student collectives from the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University. The leadership convenes congresses resembling those of the Council of Europe party delegations and sends delegates to international conferences involving the Latin American Communist Coordination and delegations from the German Left Party.
The party articulates positions rooted in Marxist-Leninist tradition while engaging with ecosocialist and anti-austerity platforms seen in the Syriza experience and the Coalition of the Radical Left networks. Stances include advocacy for workers' rights in coordination with unions like the UGT and the Workers' Commissions, support for municipalism in the tradition of Barcelona en Comú and anti-privatization campaigns that echo policies debated in the European Parliament by delegations from the Left Group (European Parliament). On national questions they debate self-determination in dialogue with formations such as Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and Candidatura d'Unitat Popular while maintaining ties to internationalist currents like the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties.
Electoral engagement has often been through coalitions and joint lists in municipal and regional polls, cooperating with broader left platforms resembling alliances seen in the Podemos–IU electoral coalition and local confluences inspired by successes of Barcelona en Comú and En Comú Podem. Participation in Barcelona municipal elections, Girona municipal polls, and candidacies to the Parliament of Catalonia have produced variable results, comparable in scale to small communist formations across Europe such as the Greek Communist Party local branches and the Italian Communist Refoundation Party municipal outings. Campaigns targeted neighborhood councils in Sants-Montjuïc, Gràcia, and Eixample.
They organize labor solidarity actions in coordination with demonstrations at hubs like Plaça de Catalunya and protests tied to strikes at ports including Port of Barcelona and transport hubs such as Barcelona–El Prat Airport. Cultural activities include commemorations of the Days of the Republic and events on anniversaries of the Spanish Civil War tied to memorial groups and researchers from the Ariel Shechtman-style academic networks and institutes similar to the Centre d'Estudis Històrics Internacionals. Campaigns address housing rights referencing practices in Lisbon and Athens, anti-eviction movements influenced by Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca tactics, and anti-fascist mobilizations alongside organizations like Antifascist Action networks and anti-racism groups present in Catalonia.
Relations range from cooperation with leftist parties such as En Comú Podem, Podem, and United Left (Spain) affiliates to critical competition with nationalist parties including Convergence and Union alumni and centrist blocs like Citizens (Spanish political party). International ties include exchanges with the Portuguese Communist Party, delegations from the Communist Party of Cuba, contacts with the Communist Party of Greece, and dialogues with representatives of the Left Bloc (Portugal). The organization navigates complex relations with social movements linked to Anarchist Catalonia legacies and local platforms formed during the Indignados movement.
Prominent figures associated with the organization include municipal councillors and activists who have ties to historic personalities referenced in its commemorative culture such as Dolores Ibárruri, Fidel Castro, Antonio Gramsci, and regional labor leaders reminiscent of Lluís Companys and Ramon Serradell-type profiles. Leadership has included regional secretaries, central committee members, and municipal spokespeople with prior roles in unions like the CGT and institutions such as the Institut d'Estudis Catalans. The youth wing has produced figures active in student government at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and organizers who have participated in international youth forums.
Category:Political parties in Catalonia Category:Communist parties in Spain