The push to place United Left to the left of the PSOE in the Alicante province mirrors the outcomes seen in the most recent July elections. The aim is to consolidate the coalition while preserving substantial autonomy for each party. The plan emerged this Saturday as the first public event in this new phase, signaling a commitment to form a durable alliance rather than a one-off arrangement. It features figures like Txema Guijarro, a deputy and key part of the Alicante delegation, along with Fran García and Laura Moreno, members of the platform who are vying to lead the project near the border. They acknowledge that the task is challenging, yet they see it as the only viable path in the present political climate.
Guijarro noted that the world has entered a decade of uncertainty. The ongoing war dynamics exert a wide impact, shaping a form of bloc globalization and a polarization of the ideological axis. The rise of the far right stands out as the most troubling development. In response to this situation, he urged the adoption of social certainties expressed through leftist policies designed to improve living conditions for the general population.
The issue was brought into the national arena, emphasizing the need to keep the left bloc intact and extend it further to the left of PSOE. The focus is on delivering protections through a strong state and addressing differences with the Socialist party on matters such as ecological transition and Spain’s alignment with Atlanticist goals, including NATO participation and the country’s role in its decision-making processes. He stressed that this factor must be considered when evaluating PSOE’s approach.
The discussion highlighted that a solid government agreement had already been signed with the PSOE, though it was undergoing review. The focus remained on labor policies, the fight against the dehumanization of work, and the agenda for climate action, housing, and universal education from early childhood. Guijarro proposed urgent financial reforms aimed at increasing state revenue through measures such as taxation of banks and large energy firms. He argued that unity among the left is essential for turning these proposals into concrete policy.
For Greater Stability
Representatives from diverse groups within Sumar participated, including voices from Més Compromís and other allied formations. The gathering took place at the CC OO headquarters in Alicante. Attendees included councilors from Compromís in the city and Elche, as well as former leaders from Guanyar in Alicante. Fran García, the mobilization lead for Sumar in Alicante Province, emphasized that the group is there to cooperate and lay out the next steps, stressing the need to give the movement space and time to organize effectively.
The platform’s spokesperson urged respect for the different identities within Sumar, suggesting that diversity is an advantage that can attract a broad spectrum of left-leaning voters. The message was clear: focus on shared goals rather than differences, and work toward a stronger, more inclusive political project. Laura Moreno, who directs Sumar’s national mobilization, underscored the desire for greater influence to help build a better country. She noted that the project’s identity should endure rather than be renamed for every electoral cycle, arguing that citizens should trust the group’s ability to manage public affairs.
Moreno repeated the call for expansion without competition, describing the 23J campaign as a positive precedent. The path forward should emphasize empathy over confrontation, with attention to whether Alicante will be the initial focus or whether the strategy will apply to the broader Valencian Community, including areas where Més Compromís has stronger influence. Different regional expressions may emerge, but the core aim remains: broaden the left’s footprint and deepen its governance capacity.
The discussion progressed through a sequence of moderated interventions by García, Guijarro, and Moreno, followed by desk-based sessions that invited public questions. Some participants felt discouraged by the format, as questions were deferred to study tables rather than addressed openly. A couple of attendees expressed dissatisfaction, signaling a desire for more direct engagement and accountability during the event.
The questions at the tables focused on what contributions each member and group can bring to Sumar, how the electoral field could be broadened, and which regional issues the coalition must tackle. A formal statement from the platform described the gathering as a sincere celebration while acknowledging concerns and expectations about the movement’s development. While the press did not reference the entire Valencian Community explicitly, there was attention to the ongoing planning for Sumar’s broader founding meeting anticipated for spring 2024.