The days stretch on without traditional names, existing as an extended giveaway until May 28. When seven days pass without pause, the eighth day is dubbed “octavio.” These labels belong to the campaign team surrounding Héctor Illueca, the candidate for Unides Podem-Esquerra Unida. Their operations center stands at the heart of the purple party’s headquarters, a nerve center that grows even more animated as the election approaches.
They describe the large desk as their sanctuary, a space filled with computers, notebooks, and vending-machine coffee that serves as a kind of therapy. It is here that debates are planned and polished, broadcasts are prepared, and the day’s ballot-box developments are reflected upon with keen attention.
Three distinct teams support the candidate: Organizational, Communications, and Political. The latter is personified by César Lledó, Illueca’s chief of staff and a trusted ally of the leader. The mission is to win voters through a compelling leadership narrative that resonates with the public.
Carles Fons, ranked third on the Cortes list for Valencia and charged with campaign logistics, notes that the team gains much from the candidate’s talent. “I’ll tell you what,” he says, signaling confidence in their approach.
Joan Pérez leads the communications unit, ensuring every message from the candidate is disseminated effectively. Alongside them are about twelve colleagues who manage the day-to-day machinery, drawing support from comrades in Alicante and Castellón. The campaign operates online across the board, with tasks ranging from securing spaces and permissions to capturing photos, recording videos, and coordinating broadcasts. They transport audio equipment, align with local candidates, and mobilize supporters. “With the limited resources we have, militant networking is essential,” observes Carles Fons. The team spent five months preparing for the polls, which would culminate in four days. Their route outlines steps to maintain a strong position in a potential third Botànic coalition. César Lledó has stood beside Illueca from the outset, while the rest of the team either travels with him or works from the central hub. The day begins at seven in the morning. They study the press and introduce current events that might shape discourse as this report notes, including ongoing discussions about a popular television program that day.
at home at 23:00
After laying out the day’s itinerary, the team reviews media questions that the afternoon’s media encounters might raise. They attribute much of their progress to networking. By around eleven at night, they return home to eat, sleep—adequately, but briefly—and then repeat the cycle.
Although daily rhythms shift with the clock, the campaign remains the main topic of conversation. They joke that they sometimes lose track of the day, except for noting the countdown to May 28. They even joke about a forthcoming report titled “the campaign through the eyes of our families.” Meals come in two daily servings, with paella enjoyed on stilts after a performance in Alzira standing out as a memorable meal, and work meals occur at irregular times due to the relentless pace. They wake early, stay late, and only the Sunday afternoon lull interrupts the otherwise continuous grind. The campaign is built around the multi-pronged slogan Courage to Transform, meant to convey a proactive stance toward life and the political system.
A marker drawn with a felt-tip pen on a wall near the desk reads, “28 million, 8 days left.” The team disperses across different areas to maximize outcomes, with the core strategy being to move in unison, like a hive of bees. This synchronized effort is the backbone of their campaign cadence, a visible symbol of their operational philosophy.