Since its founding assembly in Villaverde (Madrid) six months ago, Sumar has faced three electoral calls – in the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Europe – solidifying Yolanda Díaz’s leadership within the party. Initially positioned as the conductor of the project, the party has since shifted its focus to incorporating other political forces and is now preparing for its second political convention on December 14-15, with uncertainty surrounding Díaz’s future role and the challenge of unity on the horizon. Poor election results and organizational discontent led Díaz to step down from her leadership position in June, with four close associates currently leading the party on an interim basis.
Despite Díaz remaining a political reference within the party, the internal dynamics of Sumar appear to be functioning effectively without her daily involvement. However, the organizational structure of the party has become outdated, with plans to integrate other parties such as IU, Más Madrid, Catalunya en Comú, or Verdes Equo no longer being considered. Discussions on the new organizational model have been delayed until a formal organizational document is presented, with the current focus remaining on discussions about issues affecting the population rather than internal structures.
Sumar’s new organizational document will clarify the relationships between political forces and parties within the coalition. While the debate on left-wing unity has largely shifted away from public discourse, Podemos has been actively promoting Irene Montero as its main electoral asset, distancing itself from the unity debate publicly. The impact of the split from last December has the potential to harm the electoral aspirations of the coalition, particularly in small constituencies where division can be penalized under the Spanish electoral system.
As Sumar prepares for its second assembly, key tasks include defining the territorial structure, determining the leadership model, and updating its political proposal to align with current realities. The coordination of the political document will be led by Íñigo Errejón, while Lara Hernández will oversee the organizational aspects, with both documents set to be debated in territories and sectorial groups in the coming months. Recent additions to the party leadership include Estrella Galán, Esperanza Gómez, and Xabel Vegas, reflecting the ongoing evolution and expansion of Sumar’s organizational structure.
