For two years he was the face of the Left, an alternative to the Socialists. He formed the political movement Sumar in 2022, which brought together several parties from this political spectrum. He replaced Pablo Iglesias, who withdrew from political life, and adopted a tone more aligned with the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). This Monday, Yolanda Díaz, Vice President of the Spanish Government, Sumerin announced his resignation from the leadership postAfter this poor result in the European elections.
Spain had a major shock wave in these European elections, with the Popular Party (PP) winning with 34% of the vote, followed by the PSOE with 30.2%. The political formation led by Yolanda Díaz did not exceed 4.7% of the vote and elected only three MEPs. This was just above the recently formed anti-immigration and populist party Se Acabó La Fiesta (4.6%). The result was all the more disappointing as it was the first time in practice that nearly a party had gone to the polls alone.
In December 2023, after some tensions, Unitas decided to break the alliance it had maintained with Podemos Sumer. Now, among these Europeans, Yolanda Díaz did not count on the support of the party forceHe ended up electing two MEPs running alone, aiming for 3.3% of the vote. Also, on the left, Ahora was narrowly outnumbered by the Republicans: a coalition formed by independent parties Bloc Nacionalista Gallego, Basque EH Bild and the Catalan Republican Left.
Split in Spanish left: Unitas Podemos breaks with Yolanda Díaz, abandons Sumer’s parliamentary group
In a statement to the press this Monday, Yolanda Díaz admitted that these elections “acted as a mirror”: “Citizens are not mistaken when they vote, and they decide not to vote. The responsibility is always ours.. And, in this case and undoubtedly, the responsibility is mine. “I feel that I didn’t do things right. The citizens realized this,” lamented the deputy of the Spanish government.
Despite Sumer’s resignation as leader, Yolanda Díaz will not relinquish her position as vice-president of the Spanish government and will not continue as the party’s parliamentary leader. As for the government led by Pedro Sánchez, the official believes it continues to be “the best tool to improve people’s lives”. Condemning the rise of far-right parties in Europe, the politician vowed to continue working in a “progressive coalition government” capable of “turning hatred and discontent into a wave of rights and hope”.
Yolanda Diaz’s successor is now a mystery. Built around that principle figure, Sumer’s political platform has no defined successor, although Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun and Sumer’s spokesman Inigo Errejan (and Podemos’ former key figure, until he stormed the door), are listed as favourites. According to El Mundo. Currently, the party’s constitution states that the 121-member coordination committee must vote by a simple majority on who is the new leader. Voting is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
In Sumer’s weak state, Unidas Podemos wants to use this moment to gain strength and capitalize. Pablo Iglesias has already guaranteed Yolanda Díaz’s resignation means “the end of almost.” “Sumar only makes sense under the leadership of Yolanda Díaz”, argued the former vice president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez made Sumar a “convenient ally” – which led to death.
Early projections and exit polls left everything open, practically a scenario of a technical draw. The PP had only a slight advantage over Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE. However, when the results began to be announced, the popular voters, with 34.2%, elected 22 MEPs, taking 30.2% of the vote and 20 MEPs from the Socialists.
Alberto Núñez Feijo, leader of the Popular Party, Party Sunday night results. A few hours later, party spokesman Borja Semper highlighted the extent of the PP’s electoral success. The popular leader asked Pedro Sánchez to resign, showing that armed people with a map of Spain had won all the autonomous communities (except the Basque Country, Catalonia, Aragon).
“We are not just looking forward to a legislative decision. Before a weary legislature. “We are facing the end of a cycle.”The party’s spokesman guaranteed that “PSOE’s time is over and Pedro Sánchez’s time is over”: “Sánchez’s departure is simmering on low heat, even if he resists, he will fall”.