[3] In 1996, the student union grew significantly, although in 1997 and early 1998, the organization stopped growing.

Despite their early success in the student elections, EI always focused in the struggle in the street; demonstrations and strikes were the main means of struggle.

Between 1998 and 2000 EI also staged group actions, demonstrations and strikes with the Comités Abertos de Faculdade and the Movemento Estudantil Universitario.

In 2001, the group focused more in unity with other independentist and leftist collectives, like the Revolutionary Students Federation or the Galician Antifascist Students Assembly.

[4] A sector of EI didn't want to merge and split from the organization.