Storms swirl around Podem as the party confronts a shaky result in the latest district and municipal elections. Representation in municipal chambers remains scant, which complicates the possibility of forming a presence in the Valencia Cortes. Frustration with the leadership led by Pilar Lima and Carles Fons has catalyzed a revolt among a sizeable portion of both officials and rank-and-file members. A manifesto, signed by figures such as Elche mayor Moisés García and Alicante spokesperson Xavi López, calls for a primary process to select candidates for upcoming general elections and signals Podem’s participation in the Sumar lists.
The manifesto, circulating on social networks as a pledge of commitment, emerged from a context in which Podem was negotiating to join the Sumar lists. The pressure of tight deadlines could tempt some to advance candidate selection without the necessary militancy scrutiny.
Under Lima and Fons, what has long been viewed by purple representatives as a pattern of disengagement from local political action is condemned. Across the region, the party structures in many municipalities are being formed in a way that seems to sideline militancy. There are accusations that deals are being crafted in Castellón, Alicante, and Elche by Valencia’s central managers, without consulting the regional negotiating teams or listening to analyses from those cities. The alliance reached in Alicante, which placed U.S. representative Manolo Copé at the top of the list, has sparked considerable controversy within Podem.
In this frame, supporters of the initiative link the disappointing election results to the endangerment of Botany’s progressive governance and to the party’s scattered influence—present in many regions, yet missing from most town halls, even with a dozen councilors. The manifesto argues that Podem’s viability as a project hinges on open, critical discussion within the relevant militancy bodies and on accountability from senior leaders for the outcomes. It also signals a readiness to pursue a renewed electoral process if the organization’s structure allows it to move forward more transparently.
For these reasons, the signatories contend that the managers of municipal contracts and the district campaigns cannot be trusted to steer the next candidate slate or the overall plan. They send a clear message against María Teresa Pérez, who is slated to lead Sumar’s Alicante candidacy, while noting that those who left the regional candidacy shortly after the vote, based on information that others in the organization sensed but did not acknowledge, are to be excluded from this process. Responsibility, they argue, should rest with colleagues who persevere despite difficult circumstances.
Conflict between Compromís and Podem over the distribution of leadership spots in Sumar
Thus, the manifesto closes with a call for transparency and a more participatory approach to shaping the Podem team. It advocates for integration into a broader unification structured through Sumar, with provincial primaries that ensure democratic decision-making. The signatories emphasize adherence to Podem’s founding principles as stated in the party charter and demand accountability for the campaign results, insisting that Podem should own the outcome rather than cast blame elsewhere.
Alongside Moisés García and Xavi López, the list includes supporters of Francisco José García, who managed campaigns in Alicante; María Jesús Romero from the Social Movements Secretariat of the same city; Rafael Segarra, mayor of Moncofa; Carlos Asins, spokesperson for Sollana; Alfonso Martínez, councilor of Alberic; and Vicen Manel Barrachina, head of Language, Culture and Heritage at Podem PV.
In sum, the document frames a push for renewed inclusion, accountability, and clear procedural rules that would reorient Podem’s electoral strategy within the wider Sumar project. It stresses that a truly representative process should center the voices of militancy and base members while safeguarding the integrity of candidacy selection across Alicante and the region.