In a move that reshapes the internal landscape of Compromís, a faction within the coalition has shifted its allegiance. The group, which had operated under the banner of a youth wing, announced a break from the organizational structure they once viewed as a reference point. In a statement from the leadership, the youth faction criticized what it called a unilateral decision by five individuals who, they argued, spoke for the entire youth movement in a disorderly fashion.
Regardless of the split, the youth organization intends to remain active. It represents a new page in the party’s ongoing internal crisis, with Monica Oltra having left a long tenure in various institutional roles in recent months. The party is set to hold an extraordinary meeting on February 24 to chart its next steps amid the turmoil.
At a meeting held on January 22, the youth movement, formerly known as the Som coordinator, decided to terminate ties with the broader political group. The document approved that day described the choice as difficult but necessary. It contended that the Initiative had lost its identity as a space for transformative left ideas and failed to connect with a broad portion of the population.
When explaining the split, Som cited the current party leadership, led by co-spokespersons Aitana Mas and Alberto Ibáñez, for steering the party along a path that diminishes militancy, imposes vetoes, and suppresses political differences. The text argued that authoritarianism and a lack of recognition of their efforts defined the leadership, framing these points as core reasons for the break.
The decision means Som will operate as an independent organization, while its members—slightly over a hundred, according to Som’s information—will stay active in both groups. The youth unit will no longer be formally affiliated with the party, and sources indicated a notable level of militancy had already shifted in favor of this separation.
Initiative officials later condemned what they described as a hostile move by Més to absorb their group, arguing that the young people within the party, founded in 2009, deserve space to contribute to the common good in a manner that reflects their shared values. The group asserted that reconciliation could only happen if internal pluralism is welcomed and diversity of opinion is respected, even with Monica Oltra involved in conversations about the path forward.
One-sided decision
The Initiative rejected what it called a unilateral choice by a five-member leadership team who, it claimed, spoke for a large portion of the youth community in a disorganized fashion. They described the move as an interference in the party’s organic relations and the assembly process, noting that the split affected roughly 306 individuals. Secretariat sources within the coalition added that the decision was of particular importance and should be revisited at Som’s upcoming congress, scheduled for June by law.
The departure marks a further escalation within the second most militant faction of Compromís and follows a series of resignations by administration representatives from Castellón, including the member of parliament in Las Corts, Vero Ruiz; former MP Belén Bekaró; and the mayor of Vistabella, Jordi Alcón. Earlier exits by councilors in Valencia, including Sergi Castillo and Lluïsa Notario, had already signaled a broader shift in allegiance and strategy.