Podemos joins the coalition with IU and Sumar in Andalusia

BarcelonaPodemos has reached an agreement with Izquierda Unida and Sumar to run in coalition in the upcoming Andalusian elections on May 17. The pact was sealed before the legal deadline for registering the left-wing confluence under the umbrella of the Por Andalucía brand, which ended at 11:59 PM. In a last-minute negotiation, which lasted more than twelve hours since it began on Thursday morning, the three formations have announced an agreement to run together in a candidacy that will be led by the candidate for the presidency of the Junta de Andalucía, Antonio Maíllo.

Although Podemos considers that the agreement “does not reflect the political weight" of its formation, the purple party has stressed in a statement that "it is more important to defend healthcare and housing than any partisan calculation" and to avoid having three lists to the left of the PSOE, in reference to Adelante Andalucía, which in the last elections obtained two deputies. "We are making this decision out of political responsibility and with the conviction of continuing to build a strong and courageous left-wing alternative to confront the right and defend the rights of Andalusians," stated Podemos Andalucía.

Sources from Por Andalucía have also celebrated, as expected, the decision of the purple formation. "The incorporation of Podemos strengthens this common project and shows that Por Andalucía is the space for understanding and the confluence of the left in our land. The coalition guarantees the participation of all political forces on equal terms, and strengthens a solid and recognizable alternative".

The objective is none other than to prevent a new PP government, with the support of the far-right Vox, as they have stated in the communiqué: "Today is a turning point that sends a clear message: we will do everything possible and all together to oust Moreno Bonilla and his policies from the Junta de Andalucía. This is the worst news for Moreno Bonilla and the best news for the Andalusian social majority, for the families who are worried about their future and who today have a useful instrument at the service of their needs and expectations".

The decision comes after the Podem leadership backtracked this very week and agreed to ally with Yolanda Díaz's party in an electoral contest, as a result of the two defeats it suffered at the polls in Aragon and Castilla y León –with less than 1% of the votes–. The alliance had already been endorsed by the bases of the purple party shortly after in a consultation. In this regard, participants gave incontestable support with 81% of the votes to seek an understanding for the May 17 elections and leave behind the solo adventure, which failed in these two communities.

The candidacy to the left of the PSOE will be made up, therefore, by Izquierda Unida, Sumar, Iniciativa del Pueblo Andaluz, Alternativa Republicana, Partido Verde, Podemos, and Alianza Verde. Thus, the electoral formula of 2022 is repeated, when Ione Belarra's party also agreed at the last minute to join this left-wing coalition. The candidacy's aim is to expand on the results achieved in 2022, when the coalition obtained five seats in the Andalusian Parliament, of which three corresponded to candidates from Podemos; one to IU, and another, which corresponded to Más País Andalucía.