Podemos joins the coalition with IU and Sumar in Andalusia
The negotiation to run together has lasted more than twelve hours
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 brave left-wing alternative to stand up to 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 an equal footing, 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 remove 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 families who are concerned about their future and who today have a useful instrument at the service of their needs and expectations".
The decision comes after Podem's leadership backed down this same week and opened up to an alliance with Yolanda Díaz's party in an electoral event, as a result of the two electoral defeats it suffered in Aragon and Castilla y León –with less than 1% of the votes–. The purple party's base had already endorsed the coalition in a consultation shortly after. In this regard, participants overwhelmingly supported with 81% of the votes seeking an understanding for the May 17 elections and leaving behind the solo adventure, which failed in these two communities.
The candidacy to the left of the PSOE will be integrated, therefore, by Esquerra Unida, Sumar, Iniciativa del Poble Andalús, Alternativa Republicana, Partit Verd, Podem and Alianza Verda. 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 goal 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 Podem, led by Juan Antonio Delgado, Alejandra Durán, and José Manuel Gómez; one to IU, held by Inma Nieto, whose departure marked the end of an era, and one seat, which corresponded to Més País Andalusia, went to Esperanza Gómez. The coalition will also have to compete with the Andalusian left-wing movement, championed by Endavant Andalusia, which secured two deputies in the last elections.
