In the Spanish political scene, two parties aligned with the left wing of the governing coalition — Podemos and Izquierda Unida — chose not to attend the planned summit between Spain and Morocco in Rabat, scheduled for February. Instead, they expressed solidarity with the Sahrawi cause and the broader call for independence for Western Sahara. These days, both groups are aligning with the Polisario Front as it convenes its sixteenth congress. The event was opened by Brahim Gali, whose visit to Spain in April 2021 contributed to a tense diplomatic moment between the two neighboring countries. The decision to stay away from the Rabat meeting reflects a sharp shift in tone toward Morocco and a desire to de-escalate a fragile regional situation while voicing support for Sahrawi self-determination.
Delegates from Podemos and Izquierda Unida traveled to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tinduf, Algeria, during the weekend. Neither party indicated they would participate in the high-level Rabat meeting two weeks later, an event that would bring together dozens of ministers and the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez.
Neither the IU leader nor the ministers, including Alberto Garzón and Ione Belarra or Yolanda Díaz, planned to attend the Rabat gathering as a clear sign of the government’s disagreement with changes in Spain’s attitude toward the Sahara. The second deputy prime minister and the minister of universities, Joan Subirats, were also not expected to attend.
Today, observers note the Solidarity stance: the 16th Congress of the Polisario Front is seen as a platform to reaffirm the Saharan people’s right to self-determination and to call for an end to attacks and resource plunder attributed to the Moroccan government. Supporters voiced the slogan Long Live Free Sahara. A public message circulated via social networks underscoring that the Sahara should determine its own destiny. Representatives from Podemos and IU attended in varying capacities, including Gloria Santiago, the vice-president of the Balearic Parliament, and José Luis Bueno, a key IU figure and international liaison. The Socialist Party was not represented at the congress.
Brahim Gali, who serves as the General Secretary of the Polisario Front and also acts as the president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, delivered the opening address on the congress’s first day. He characterized Pedro Sánchez’s visit to the Sahara as a betrayal and argued that it justified Morocco’s invasion and violated international law. His remarks reflected a broader argument that Spain should maintain a clear stance in support of Sahrawi sovereignty and the right to self-determination, as recognized by international bodies and supporters of the SADR.
IU’s meeting with Gali on the following Monday underscored a public stance that echoed opposition to Sánchez’s approach toward Western Sahara. IU representatives conveyed support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal while resisting a full endorsement of independence for the occupied territories. Rodriguez Forest, a leading IU figure, stressed that the coalition government remains committed to certain collective actions on the matter, but publicly questioned the direction of the executive’s diplomacy. The event was framed as an institutional disagreement within the government and a deliberate effort to sustain organized calls for demonstrations within the community.
As the political debate evolved, Bueno of IU commented on the “embarrassing year” that 2022 had become for unilateral shifts in Spain’s Western Sahara policy. He argued that the government’s change of position had yet to be reflected through parliamentary channels and warned that the public narrative had left Spain in an awkward position after statements from the Moroccan Royal House. He urged that the state’s stance be clarified through formal channels and in dialogue with international partners, underlining the importance of coherence in foreign policy.
In summary, the proceedings around the Polisario Front congress and the public stance of Podemos and IU highlight a broader political contest over Western Sahara, one that intertwines regional stability, international law, and domestic political calculus. The actors involved argue passionately about sovereignty, self-determination, and the best path toward a peaceful, just resolution for Saharan communities, while balancing Spain’s strategic relations with Morocco and broader European commitments. This ongoing discourse continues to shape how internal politics, international diplomacy, and grassroots solidarity intersect in a volatile regional landscape.
Citations: Statements by Podemos Internacional and IU representatives reflect ongoing positions and public statements regarding Western Sahara and Spain’s diplomatic posture. Observers note that the dynamics remain fluid and subject to change as the Polisario Front presses for recognition of Sahrawi self-determination and as national leaders reassess partnerships and policy tone in response to evolving regional events.