After a week of speculation that Compromís might be fractured, Podemos and Esquerra Unida, two left-wing movements, are preparing to contest the 28 May elections in Alicante together and expect continuing discussions in the hours ahead. Negotiations among Alicante’s progressive forces, positioned left of the PSPV-PSOE, carry regional implications and echo across the province as discord persists in the capital. The Valencian Government table remains a focal point where purple and EU partners negotiate, and where unity flashes and falters alike.
starting points
Regardless of the details, the pattern remains clear: Esquerra Unida accuses Podemos of withholding generous terms and failing to offer pivotal positions on their candidate lists. From abroad comes the echo that all options are still on the table, ranging from preserving a tripartite arrangement to pursuing a closer, loyalty-based consensus. The second path appears fragile, as it would risk undermining the Podemos-EU accord at the regional level. [citation: Valencia regional politics, source A].
In Alicante, Compromís was the first to step away from the convergence. After a late surge of celebrations, Valencians believed the negotiations had stalled and preferred to protect the top two mayoral spots for Rafa Mas (Venture) and Sara Llobel (Més), who already launched their campaign under the banner “ViscAlacant.” The coalition sought to avoid burnout after a lengthy primary process and left the door open to independent candidates. [citation: Alicante politics report, source B].
Compromís thinks talks with Podemos and EU in Alicante have deteriorated
This Monday, Podemos reiterated that there will be no pause in the talks. The coalition with Compromís remains a focal point, with Morlar underscoring the aim to broaden a transformative left to include progressive, environmentalist, and feminist groups. Throughout the week, 28M discussions are expected to intensify with Esquerra Republica, Alianza Verde, and, above all, Esquerra Unida. [citation: Podemos communications, source C].
Reply
A statement from the Podemos Coordinating Council on Monday seems to respond to Compromís’ executive meeting last week, which announced the end of negotiations and began pursuing its own approach. Valencians note polling indicates that the capital city delivered two councilors to their coalition, making concessions unlikely for Podemos and the EU, where the list would drop to third and fourth places. Regional observers remain focused on how these dynamics affect the broader balance of power in the area. [citation: regional polling data, source D].
Regionally, Podemos’ leadership is sharply critical of the purple faction within the Alicante group and has described some proposals as not fully credible. The Alicante faction points out it surpassed 7,000 votes in municipal elections since the end of the last century, arguing that a robust social base justifies a strong role in decision-making and potential starting positions. [citation: electoral history, source E].
There is also talk that the regional leadership, in Alicante, wishes to place Esquerra Unida in third and fourth spots on the list, following the predecessors Xavier López and Vanessa Romero who joined the Alicante Corporation during the current mandate. This week’s bilateral discussions are expected to clarify the left’s stance, though talks may still tilt toward reaching an agreement with Compromís in Alicante, even if it intersected with these positions. [citation: Alicante council records, source F].
Santa Pola and a joint candidacy
While failures to reach a statewide agreement persist in several municipalities, there are bright spots elsewhere. In Santa Pola, Compromís, Podemos, and Esquerra Unida formally announced a shared top tier on the list. Anna Antón and Esteve Ruiz of Compromís lead the ticket, demonstrating the Valencianistas’ willingness to cooperate where possible. Alba Quesada (AB) and Mercedes Landa (Podemos) occupy the third and fourth slots, respectively. This cooperative arrangement in Santa Pola contrasts with Alicante’s more contentious negotiations and signals a different approach to building a local majority. [citation: Santa Pola coalition, source G].