Podemos and EU alliance triggers a split in Alicante over list roles
The situation in the purple faction is marked by tensions as Podemos and Esquerra Unida unveil regional and municipal nominations this Sunday at the University of Alicante. Xavier López holds the position of second on the list, but the absence of the party manager and the local campaign leadership who steered the mayoral race four years ago underscores the shifting dynamics around López.
The unfolding events are tied to earlier frictions after the leftist alliance challenged both regional and municipal elections dated May 28. The Podemos regional leadership accepted a chaotic turn without fully informing the party bases in the provincial capital, resulting in resignations and adjustments to the candidacy. Manolo Copé of Esquerra Unida was placed atop the list.
As these developments progressed, López publicly supported Copé, yet Podemos Alicante’s executive and campaign organizers stayed away from the event. Their absence signaled clear dissatisfaction with the regional delegation’s moves, especially toward the organization. Despite the campaign launches and a broader provincial display, party members and public officials saw limited participation.
Among those who attended the demonstrations were several leading mayoral contenders: Moises Garcia mayoral hopeful for Elche; Alberto Beviacandidate for San Vicente del Raspeig; Claudia Sternantino, top candidate for Sant Joan; and Manolo Kopeck representing Alicante. Los Verdes was also represented by its general secretary, Pura Peris, and coordinator Juliá Álvaro.
Vanessa Romero appeared in third place and Lucía Ibáñez in fourth, alongside other mayoral hopefuls such as Pedro Mario Pardo of El Campello and Borja Iborra of Mutxamel.
The rift within the bases and López’s absence from the Alicante slate were not the only controversy surrounding the coalition. The top name on the Cortes roster belonged to María Teresa Pérez, director of the Youth Institute in Madrid and a rising figure in the coalition government with the Socialists. It was later announced that Unides Podem would skip the regional roster, replaced by Alejandro Aguilar.
María Teresa Pérez and Alejandro Aguilar participated in the Alicante event, with Aguilar focusing on housing policy and economic intervention amid ongoing crises. He emphasized the need for stronger action in sectors affected by the pandemic and the Russia conflict, signaling a bold stance on a controversial slate.
He also challenged the Socialists on housing progress, noting that the party has spent decades addressing housing issues and that recent reforms gain momentum through united efforts. Concerning the far right, Aguilar criticized the presentation of a jailed individual as a regional candidate and warned against opportunistic moves by other parties. The critique extended to the People’s Party, which was accused of compromising on women’s rights while backing only selective reforms.
Outside of the main speakers, Pérez remained focused on the perceived public invisibility of the coalition within institutions. She highlighted a debate where Héctor Illueca, a Valenciana regional candidate, received limited air time compared to other leaders, illustrating concerns about media coverage and visibility for the coalition.
The general coordinator of a major regional alliance urged an emphasis on three cultural strands within the political project, describing them as transformative: environmental political culture, the tradition of the indignados, and the grassroots spirit of Izquierda Unida. Nostalgia for Julio Anguita was invoked as a unifying thread across these strands.
Looking ahead, Illueca framed the alliance within a broader context of shifting power dynamics and past governance outcomes. He described the political landscape as a balance of forces shaped by historical events and emphasized the coalition’s goal of achieving governance through a coalition framework that reflects diverse voter support.
Podemos and EU reaffirm their disagreement over Sumar while including Alicante
During discussions with business leaders and regional influencers, the coalition voiced concerns about the influence of large corporations on regional policy and the impact on housing and social programs. The conversation also touched on a landmark housing law and the responsibility of autonomous communities to advance it, while noting debates at the national level about housing policy and its future provisions.
The regional candidacy submission proceeded without notable internal tensions, aside from a few logistical questions. Alicia Alicante representatives emphasized that a broad base of Podemos members remains engaged in the process and that the coalition continues to work toward structural reforms. In Alicante, a board member expressed a view that the outcome could be seen as a signal of broader internal mobilization, with optimism about continued party activity across municipalities.
The discussion in Alicante highlighted commitments to transform political life through a coalition that aims to unify diverse currents within leftist politics. Observers noted a strong focus on public services and social protections as central themes for the alliance moving forward.
In closing, speakers underscored a shared objective of strengthening unity among the three cultural currents within the movement, while maintaining a critical stance toward political opponents and media representations. The event suggested a renewed effort to translate coalition ideas into concrete electoral and policy steps across the region.