The resignation of the leader in Aragon aggravates the internal revolt in Podemos and the territorial pressure to force Belarra to agree with Sumar
This stressful negotiation against the clock has less than 48 hours left to reach the deadline and Podemos has become the focus of all the pressures. There is the most obvious of the time, which pushes to make a decision practically already with the conditions that are being put on the table. There is politics, since the purple party is becoming increasingly isolated as the other formations are taking firm and unequivocal steps to place themselves under the leadership of Yolanda Díaz in Sumar. And there is the internal one, with a territorial revolt of leaders that requires them to lay down their arms to place the “unity” project above that of the party.
The Sumar train is about to leave and many people from Podemos do not want to watch it go, but want to sit in a first class seat. There are even those who would even go standing up in the cafeteria or wherever. Because on the platform only the cold awaits.
The national leadership of Podemos reaches the final stretch of the talks under brutal internal pressure and is already aware that among the consequences of not agreeing with Sumar is the threat of a rupture of the organization on several of its fronts.. A dismantling and flight of cadres and resources that would make it even more difficult to face a solo electoral campaign that would be life or death.
Several territorial leaders sounded the drums of the rebellion yesterday, in a clear warning to Ione Belarra and Irene Montero to lower their claims and accept a pact with Sumar as soon as possible. Extremadura, Navarra, the Community of Madrid and Galicia put pressure on. Also militants from Valencia… And what may still be left to jump.
All this is mixed with the “disastrous” electoral result, which also has its own internal consequences. The leader of Podemos in Aragon and regional candidate, Maru Díaz, announced this Thursday that she is resigning “in coherence” with the “clear and forceful” message from the polls. “I believe that it is time to take a step back,” he wrote in a public letter.. She will not collect her act of deputy and will leave her position as regional coordinator when the elections on July 23 pass. Podemos fell from five deputies to one in the elections and was behind the Aragonese Chunta and tied with IU.
Despite the electoral argument, Díaz takes advantage of his letter to send a firm message to Belarra and Montero about the negotiation with Sumar. “Now more than ever, high-mindedness, generosity and humility are crucial to protect and preserve the coalition government.”
The general secretary of Podemos, Ione Belarra. . Radames EUROPE PRESS
This is in addition to what happened yesterday. The coordinator of Podemos Extremadura, Irene de Miguel, was categorical. “Those who do not want unity have to step aside and leave those of us who believe that unity is the way,” he said on Canal Extremadura Radio.
In that interview, De Miguel affirmed that there is an “absolute consensus” in the leadership of the party that “you have to participate” in Sumar. For the leader “no agreement does not enter into the equation” and pointed out that for this to be achieved “everyone” has to lower their claims. “We all have to give in and I think we have to do it with generosity and also with humility”, he pointed out, in a very eloquent message about the current state of the negotiations, in which the weight of Podemos in the lists is settled, the distribution of the money or the number of advisors.
Assume the electoral result
In this sense, he recognized that it is necessary to “assume the results” that Podemos has had in the regional elections, in which it was practically wiped off the map. Extremadura and Navarra were the honorable exceptions of 28-M. Precisely, two of the regions that are most determined to promote a pact with Sumar. That is why Díaz campaigned in both communities with his candidates.
That is why it is no surprise that the coordinator of Podemos Navarra, Begoña Alfaro, was the other regional leader to raise her voice yesterday.. Just like she did in April when she expressed her support for Sumar when Díaz organized the Magariños event and when she herself challenged her party by appearing in Madrid.
Alfaro declared that it would be “an impressive irresponsibility if the agreement between Podemos and Sumar did not take place” and gave his community as an example of success at the confluence. “We understand that this has to be the same path that is followed at the state level, and we trust that the negotiating teams of the different spaces that are immersed in this process are equally clear about it.”
The Community of Madrid jumped on Friday. The regional leader, Jesús Santos, demanded to put “the country first and not the parties” and appealed to be “responsible”. The ruling party reacted against him and the mother of Pablo Iglesias asked him to resign.
In Madrid, the voice of Alejandra Jacinto, the regional candidate for 28-M, is now appearing. He called for “reading what happened” in the elections to find “the clues to write the future” and called for unity, “not as a fetish” but “as a way of doing common politics both inside and outside the institutions.”
Podemos Galicia warned that “agreement is not resignation” and a group of militants from Valencia made a manifesto to join Sumar.
The train doesn't wait. And, among many others, Más Madrid has reserved places in preferential. Yesterday its militancy approved by 96.11% to support Sumar in the elections. Also the National Committee of the Chunta Aragonesista (CHA) unanimously approved on Wednesday to concur with Sumar. This Thursday Batzarre (Navarra), Més (Baleares) and Iniciativa del Pueblo Andaluz have announced it. The agreement between some fifteen formations is close. They want to close everything today, but the doubt remains Podemos.
Who has declined the proposal of Sumar is the Movement for Dignity and Citizenship of Ceuta (MdyC) of Fátima Hamed, who once supported the presentation of Sumar in the Magariños sports center.
The PSOE had also offered her to join their lists. Finally, the MdyC has opted not to run on 23-J.