Colau is taking shape as a candidate for the Spanish elections

Barcelona/MadridA decisive move for Ada Colau to end up leading the candidacy for the Spanish elections of the left-wing coalition Broad Front. Més Madrid proposes that the former mayor of Barcelona be the candidate for the presidency of the Spanish government and head the list in Barcelona for the elections on November 29, according to sources from the party itself. However, although this commitment is key to paving the way for Colau at the head of the Broad Front, it is not the final step, as the choice will have to have the approval of the four formations that have allied, also United Left (IU), Sumar Movement, and Comuns.

For the moment, the federal coordinator of IU, Antonio Maíllo, has blessed the proposal. He believes that Colau is a "magnificent candidate" who can make a "formidable and fundamental contribution" because she "symbolizes the fight for access to housing." "She will mobilize many people who had doubts," he acknowledged in statements to the media after the news became known. And he even assured that in the ranks of United Left there is a "very positive disposition" to this possibility because people see the former mayor of Barcelona as a "stimulus" and a "jolt." In contrast, Sumar Movement prescribes caution to "not foster a conversation and debate in the media" and asks to "continue acting with discretion."

For their part, Comuns, Ada Colau's space, also avoids pronouncing on the proposal of the progressive Madrid formation and insists that the negotiation "will not be closed until there is a global agreement." "We will not respond to information that is being made public about the negotiations," they point out from the party. Be that as it may, Més Madrid defends Colau as a "proposal" that "responds to the principles of territoriality, generosity, and confederal functioning." "We defend that a true Broad Front must be built from respect for the roots and autonomy of each force in its territory," adds the same party. In fact, the formation argues that "ceding" the candidacy is a gesture for "the confederal commitment of the territories that make up the country." It also advocates that the leader of the formation herself and Minister of Health, Mónica García, go as number one on the list for Madrid.

There are other satellite parties that could enter the equation. Més per Mallorca, which keeps the negotiation open as to whether they will be part of the coalition or not, ensures that it does not "affect" them whether the number one is one or another. A voice from the party consulted by ARA does celebrate that the candidate can run in Barcelona and not in Madrid as an "example of confederalism".

From Compromís, they reiterate that their talks are taking place only within the framework of the Valencian Country with the regional leaders of the alternative left and not with the leaderships in Madrid for a state-wide candidacy. Precisely this morning, deputy Alberto Ibáñez publicly thanked the leaderships of Esquerra Unida and Podemos for having given "autonomy" to their Valencian federations to negotiate a coalition in the three districts. Likewise, he made it clear that their bet is for there to be a ballot with the name of Compromís –susceptible to adding a surname, as happened on 23-J with Sumar– and has made a call for there to be a "single" list of the alternative left to the PSOE in the "maximum number of constituencies possible". Mind you, he avoided pronouncing himself on who should lead the Broad Front at a state level: "It will not be me who adds noise to how they have to do it in Madrid or Barcelona".

The relationship with Montero

Various sources within the environment of the PSOE's left also see Colau as a person who, even, can bring positions closer between Sumar, United Left and Más Madrid with Podemos, which has already announced a candidacy led by MEP Montero. The former spokesperson for the PAH and the former Minister of Equality have a bond of cordiality and respect, which contrasts with the poor relationship that Montero maintains with a good part of the leaders who make up the Broad Front coalition. For the moment, however, Podemos sources consulted by ARA refer to the proposal that they have had on the table for days to hold open primaries. Montero's offer is to hold them next week, on October 14 and 15.

Colau's circle points in this same direction and the former mayor of Barcelona has for days been showing herself in favor of reaching an understanding with as many groups as possible, such as Podemos. "We are working to make the broadest possible agreement that includes all left-wing political forces," they add from Comuns. And, beyond the purple party and Més Madrid, Colau is also in favor of counting on Gabriel Rufián for the Broad Front, who has said that he is in a moment of "reflection" and has not yet confirmed under which umbrella he intends to run in the Spanish elections.