Izquierda Unida has reached a truce with Sumar for the European elections, accepting the number four spot on the joint list but choosing not to participate in Sumar’s Executive. This decision has caused some tension within IU as it leaves their relationship with Sumar on hold until the Assembly in May where a new leader will be chosen. The disagreement arose from the distribution of positions on the electoral list, with Madrid, Valencia, and Galicia opposing the joint candidacy while Andalusia and Catalonia were in favor. The agreement reached by IU’s Federal Coordinator was not subjected to a referendum among party members, but the party has emphasized the importance of maintaining its own campaign profile and proposals.
Following months of expressing concerns about the construction process of the platform, IU’s frustration became evident when they were placed fourth on the electoral list, behind Sumar’s candidates, Catalunya en Comú, and Compromís. IU’s Federal Organization Secretary criticized the lack of a democratic process in compiling the list, raising doubts about their future relationship with the new formation. However, Sumar’s leadership downplayed this threat, expressing confidence in the party’s continued strength and stating their respect for IU’s internal debates. Amidst this disagreement, Izquierda Unida is also in the midst of selecting a new coordinator, with three candidates in contention, leading to increased internal division.
The decision by Izquierda Unida comes after a period of debate nationwide and following disappointing results in Euskadi, where the left-wing political space went from six parliamentarians in 2020 to only one. IU’s spokesperson criticized Sumar for failing to unify the left and emphasized the need for cohesive programmatic proposals to prevent these electoral divisions. The differences in opinion between IU and Sumar’s leadership were evident in their contrasting views on the election results, with IU expressing a critical and self-critical perspective while Sumar regarded their achievement of a seat in the Basque institutions as a success, without acknowledging any errors.
The response from Sumar’s side was more positive, with their spokesperson highlighting their success in securing a seat in the Basque institutions as their primary goal. Despite facing the potential loss of their only seat during the vote count, they viewed their presence in the institutions as a significant achievement and expressed their desire to achieve even more in the future. The historical presence of left-wing parties and alliances in the Basque Parliament was mentioned as a point of reference, although Sumar was focused on their future goals and aspirations. Moving forward, both IU and Sumar are aiming to navigate their differences and work towards a more cohesive and effective left-wing political strategy for future elections.
