Sumar (electoral platform) explained

Unite
Native Name:Sumar
Native Name Lang:es
Abbreviation:SMR
Leader:Vacant
Leader1 Title:Executive Spokesperson
Leader1 Name:Ernest Urtasun
Leader2 Title:Spokesperson in Congress
Leader2 Name:Íñigo Errejón
Founder:Yolanda Díaz
Founded:28 March 2022 (as an association)
9 June 2023 (as an electoral coalition)
Predecessor:Unidas Podemos
Más País
Position:Left-wing to far-left
Europarl:The Left (SMR)
Greens/EFA (Comuns and Compromís)
Blank1 Title:Members
Blank1:See composition
Seats1 Title:Congress of Deputies
Seats2 Title:Senate
Seats3 Title:European Parliament
Country:Spain
Website: (association)
(political party)

Sumar (English: "Unite", "Add up" or "Sum")[1] [2] [3] [4] is a left-wing to far-left electoral alliance constituted for the 2023 Spanish general election, founded by Spanish second deputy prime minister and labour minister Yolanda Díaz, provisionally registered as an association on 28 March 2022 and publicly unveiled on 18 May. After a series of nationwide public events from July 2022 to 25 March 2023, the association presented its manifesto and officially announced Díaz's candidacy for the election on 2 April.[5] On 30 May, after a snap general election was called, the association registered as a political party under the name Movimiento Sumar ("Unite Movement" in English, SMR).[6] [7]

History

Background

As a result of Pablo Iglesias's departure from active politics in May 2021, Labour minister—and, from July 2021, second deputy prime minister—Yolanda Díaz, came to be widely regarded as Iglesias's presumptive successor as prime ministerial candidate in the next general election.[8] [9] Díaz expressed her will to shape a new electoral platform transcending political parties, as well as the Unidas Podemos brand,[10] [11] aiming to secure the support of ideologically close forces such as En Comú Podem (ECP), Compromís and Más Madrid/Más País while giving a prevalent role to civil society.[12] [13] [14]

The platform was drafted during an event held on 13 November 2021, with the participation of a number of female representatives of the various political spaces that could eventually join it: Díaz herself, Barcelona mayor Ada Colau (BComú), Valencian vice president Mónica Oltra (Compromís), Madrilenian opposition leader Mónica García (Más Madrid) and Ceutan councillor Fatima Hamed (from the Movement for Dignity and Citizenship, MDyC); the absence of Podemos members at the event, most notably of Equality and Social Rights ministers Irene Montero and Ione Belarra, was seen as evidence of the growing diminished role of Unidas Podemos within the platform.[15] The Díaz-led incoming left-wing alliance was also welcomed by incumbent prime minister Pedro Sánchez, who saw it as important for the "progressive space" to be in "top shape" in order for his government to be able to maintain and expand its majority in the next election.[16] While the term "Broad Front" has been frequently used in the media to refer to Díaz's platform,[17] [18] it has been commented that Díaz herself has rejected the use of this name for its connections with similar brandings used by left-wing populist alliances in Latin America.[19]

After its postponement as a result of the international crisis sparked by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was announced on 18 May 2022 that Díaz's platform would go under the provisional name "Sumar" (English: Unite),[20] [21] with its formal launch being scheduled for after the 2022 Andalusian regional election.[22] Díaz herself has asserted that, while she feels comfortable with the "Sumar" concept, it may not be her platform's definitive name, depending on administrative and bureaucratic processes.[23] On 24 May, the platform's name and logo were registered at the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office.[24]

Official launch, rallies, policy teams

On 1 July 2022, the social media accounts of both Yolanda Díaz and Sumar published promotional videos for the platform's launch event, as part of a broader 'consultation process' (proceso de escucha) starting on 8 July 2022 in the Matadero Madrid arts centre. The Sumar brand and logo were officially introduced in that event as well.[25] [26] The event had an audience of over 5,000 people, with the attendance of relevant figures in the Spanish cultural landscape such as James Rhodes, Elvira Sastre or Belén Gopegui.[27]

At the same time, a series of work teams were assembled in order to prepare the platform's policy positions in the form of a long-term national strategy. These were introduced on 23 September 2022, including experts and public figures such as César Rendueles, Ignacio Sánchez-Cuenca or Yayo Herrero.[28]

After the first rally, similar events followed in Lugo,[29] Bilbao,[30] Gijón,[31] Sabadell[32] and Mérida,[33] and in November 2022, the platform was introduced to audiences in Pamplona,[34] Logroño[35] and Valencia.[36] The nationwide encounters of Díaz with the public continued in A Coruña,[37] Zaragoza,[38] Tarragona, Barcelona,[39] Palma de Mallorca,[40] Valladolid,[41] Albacete[42] and Murcia.[43] The last rallies took place in March 2023 in Santander,[44] Seville[45] and Las Palmas.[46] The final event of the consultation process, which also served as Díaz's official presentation of her bid for the 2023 elections, took place in Madrid on 2 April.[5] Among the main parties present in the event were United Left (IU), Más Madrid, Compromís and Catalunya en Comú, but it was noted the notable absence of Podemos due to divergences with Díaz over the process to elect the platform's candidates.[47]

At the start of June 2023, former MP Pablo Bustinduy, identified with Podemos, and MEP Ernest Urtasun, identified with En Comú Podem, were announced as part of the Sumar campaign.[48]

Agreements

Following the early election call for 23 July 2023, the various allied parties of Sumar announced their agreements for joining Díaz's electoral alliance: Green Alliance,[49] Drago Canaries Party,[50] Chunta Aragonesista,[51] Andalusian People's Initiative,[52] Batzarre,[53] with negotiations ongoing with Compromís,[54] [55] Greens Equo,[56] [57] United Left,[58] [59] Más Madrid,[60] [61] and Catalunya en Comú,[62] as well as the support of other minor parties such as Sí Se Puede and Ganemos Jerez.[63] [64] [65] The Movement for Dignity and Citizenship (MDyC) chose on 8 June not to join Sumar and opted out of the election.[66] The incorporation of Podemos remained a point of friction in the negotiations,[67] [68] [69] with the presence of Equality Minister Irene Montero and Podemos' representation in Sumar's lists being the main focus of divergence.[70] In the end, following a troubling negotiation process, Podemos joined the alliance four hours ahead of the deadline to register it.[71]

On 5 December 2023, Podemos broke with Sumar, and announced that their five MPs would be sitting in the Mixed Group,[72] reducing Sumar's total MPs to 26.

Resignation of Díaz

In 2024, regional elections were held in Galicia, the Basque Country and Catalonia. The first of those, in February in Díaz's native region, saw Sumar receive under 2% of the total vote and no seats,[73] while in April Sumar took one seat in the Basque Parliament.[74] In May, Comuns Sumar took two seats fewer than En Comú Podem had taken in the 2021 Catalan regional election.[75]

Díaz resigned on 10 June 2024, after Sumar took three seats in the 2024 European Parliament election in Spain, a figure below its target.[76]

Ideology

Sumar is described as left-wing to far-left.It is also described as progressive, supportive of climate action and pro-Europeanist,[77] despite repeatedly clashing with the European Central Bank and other European fiscal institutions on economic matters, to the point that Díaz questioned the ECB during a speech in the United Nations General Assembly.[78] On the other hand Sumar does not mention NATO in its electoral program, but some of its members question increases in military spending to meet NATO commitments and have stated they prefer to negotiate peace in Ukraine rather than send military aid. Just before the 2023 Spanish general election, Sumar MEPs voted against two resolutions concerning political situations in Cuba[79] and Venezuela.[80]

Composition

The table below lists parties that have joined the Sumar platform:[81] [82] [56]

PartyScope
Unite Movement (SMR)Nationwide
Greens Equo (VE)
United Left (IU)
Communist Party of Spain (PCE)
The Dawn. Marxist Organization OM (La Aurora (om))
Republican Left (IR)
Unitarian Candidacy of Workers (CUT)Andalusia
Initiative for El Hierro (IpH)El Hierro
Más Madrid (MM)Community of Madrid
Coalició CompromísValencian Community
Més–Compromís (Més)
Valencian People's Initiative (IdPV)
Greens Equo of the Valencian Country (VQPV)
Catalonia In Common (CatComú)Catalonia
Barcelona in Common (BComú)
Green Left (EV)
More for Mallorca (Més)Balearic Islands
More for Menorca (MxMe)
Aragonese Union (CHA)Aragon
Drago Project (DRG)Canary Islands
Asturian Left (IAS)Asturias
Assembly (Batzarre)Navarre
New Canaries (NC)Canary Islands
Andalusian People's Initiative (IdPA)Andalusia

Former members

PartyNotes
PodemosLeft in December 2023
Green Alliance (AV)Left in December 2023

Electoral performance

Cortes Generales

Cortes Generales
ElectionLeading candidateCongressSenateGovernment
Votes%Seats+/–Seats+/–
2023Yolanda Díaz3,044,99612.33 (#4)7
0

European Parliament

European Parliament
ElectionLeading candidateVotes%Seats+/–
2024Estrella Galán811,5454.7 (#5)0

Regional parliaments

RegionElectionVotes%Seats+/–Government
Basque Country202435,4023.31 (#5)n/a
Catalonia2024181,7955.80 (#6)2
Galicia202428,1711.90 (#5)n/a

Notes and References

  1. News: Burgen . Stephen . 15 January 2023 . 'We need to unite': how Yolanda Díaz is galvanising the left in Spain . The Guardian . Barcelona . 3 April 2023.
  2. News: Latona . David . 2 April 2023 . Spain's labour minister launches electoral bid amid rift in left camp . Reuters . 3 April 2023.
  3. News: Jopson . Barney . 3 April 2023 . Spain's deputy PM seeks to unify leftwingers with run for prime minister . The Financial Times . Madrid . 3 April 2023.
  4. News: 3 April 2023 . Sumar, Yolanda Díaz's Project, Starts Off By Dividing . The Corner . 3 April 2023.
  5. News: Ortiz . Alberto . 2 April 2023 . Yolanda Díaz presenta su proyecto para unir a la izquierda: "Quiero ser la primera presidenta de España" . es . elDiario.es . 2 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Chouza . Paula . 2023-05-30 . Sumar se constituye como partido para tratar de aglutinar a todas las fuerzas a la izquierda del PSOE . 2023-05-30 . El País . es.
  7. Web site: Ortiz . Alberto . 2023-05-30 . Yolanda Díaz registra como partido "Movimiento Sumar" para "facilitar la confluencia" de la izquierda . 2023-05-30 . elDiario.es . es.
  8. News: Gil . Iván . 15 March 2021 . Yolanda Díaz, de abogada laboralista a designada por Iglesias para su relevo . es . El Confidencial . 15 March 2021.
  9. News: Ríos . Daniel . 10 October 2021 . Yolanda Díaz se viste de candidata y comienza a diseñar una nueva plataforma para las elecciones de 2023 . es . 20 minutos . 11 October 2021.
  10. News: Ramírez . Daniel . 30 September 2021 . Yolanda Díaz confirma que lanzará una plataforma que trascienda a Podemos, IU y el 15-M . es . El Español . 3 November 2021.
  11. News: Ramírez . Daniel . 12 October 2021 . Unidas Podemos prepara ya su distanciamiento del PSOE y asume que su marca electoral puede restar en la papeleta . es . infoLibre . 3 November 2021.
  12. News: De la Hoz . Cristina . 13 October 2021 . Los planes de Yolanda Díaz: una plataforma que respete las identidades y sin "señoros" . es . El Independiente . 3 November 2021.
  13. News: Rodríguez . Miguel Ángel . 17 October 2021 . Yolanda Díaz adopta para su proyecto el 'modelo Macron': menos Unidas Podemos y más sociedad civil . es . El Periódico de Catalunya . Madrid . 3 November 2021.
  14. News: 19 October 2021 . Yolanda Díaz no pone límites a su plataforma de izquierdas . es . La Voz de Galicia . 3 November 2021.
  15. News: Cabanillas . Ana . 4 November 2021 . Díaz, Colau, Oltra y García lanzan 'la otra izquierda' el 13 de noviembre en València . es . El Periódico de España . 4 November 2021.
  16. News: Romero . Juanma . 18 October 2021 . Sánchez apremia a la unión de la izquierda del PSOE para agrupar el voto frente a la derecha . es . El Periódico de Catalunya . Madrid . 4 November 2021.
  17. News: 11 October 2021 . Qué es el "frente amplio" de Yolanda Díaz . es . ABC . 12 November 2021.
  18. News: Molina . Chema . 23 October 2021 . ¿Qué es un Frente Amplio más allá del proyecto de Yolanda Díaz? . es . Público . Madrid . 12 November 2021.
  19. News: Portillo . Javier . 18 November 2021 . Yolanda Díaz rechaza la marca "frente amplio" para su plataforma . es . VozPópuli . 19 November 2021.
  20. News: Cabanillas . Ana . 18 May 2022 . 'Sumar': Yolanda Díaz lanza su plataforma para emanciparse de Podemos . es . El Periódico de España . 19 May 2022.
  21. News: Fernández Villa . Ana . 18 May 2022 . Yolanda Díaz da el primer paso para su nuevo proyecto y registra la marca 'Sumar' . es . Cadena SER . 19 May 2022.
  22. News: Rodríguez . Miguel Ángel . 9 May 2022 . Yolanda Díaz arranca su proceso de escucha después de las elecciones andaluzas . es . El Periódico de España . 19 May 2022.
  23. News: 19 May 2022 . Yolanda Díaz se siente cómoda con el lema 'Sumar' pero aclara que no es el nombre de su plataforma . es . Europa Press . Madrid . 19 May 2022.
  24. News: 24 May 2022 . Este es el logo de SUMAR, la plataforma política de Yolanda Díaz . es . elDiario.es . 24 May 2022.
  25. News: 1 July 2022 . Sumar, el proyecto de Yolanda Díaz ya tiene logo y lema: "Escuchar y dialogar" . es . La Vanguardia . 2 April 2023.
  26. News: Yolanda Díaz lanza la campaña y el logo de Sumar: "Escuchar, dialogar y cuidar" . es . Público . 2 April 2023.
  27. News: Arenales . María García . 8 July 2022 . Yolanda Díaz inicia su proceso de escucha en Madrid con el primer acto de 'Sumar' . es . elDiario.es . 2 April 2023.
  28. Web site: Componentes - Sumar . 2 April 2023 . sumarfuturo.info . es-ES.
  29. News: 31 August 2022 . El proyecto político de Yolanda Díaz, 'Sumar', llega este jueves a Galicia con un 'acto de escucha' centrado en el rural . es . Europa Press . Santiago de Compostela . 2 April 2023.
  30. News: Romero . Alexis . 9 September 2022 . Yolanda Díaz perfila desde Euskadi un Sumar que se construya en cada territorio "con perfil propio" . Público . Madrid . 2 April 2023.
  31. News: 6 October 2022 . Yolanda Díaz presenta Sumar en Asturias . es . La Voz de Asturias . 2 April 2023.
  32. News: Europa Press . 15 October 2022 . Yolanda Díaz fa una crida a incorporar la "Catalunya de l'esperança" a Sumar . ca . Público . 2 April 2023.
  33. News: Romero . J. M. . 28 October 2022 . Yolanda Díaz participa en un acto en el Museo Nacional de Arte Romano de Mérida . es . Hoy . 2 April 2023.
  34. News: 3 November 2022 . Yolanda Díaz presentará el 8 de noviembre en Pamplona su proyecto Sumar . es . Diario de Navarra . 2 April 2023.
  35. News: Gil . Alberto . 28 October 2022 . Yolanda Díaz presentará 'Sumar' en La Rioja el próximo día 9 de noviembre . es . La Rioja . 2 April 2023.
  36. Web site: Soria . Amparo . 19 November 2022 . Yolanda Díaz a su llegada al acto de 'Sumar' en València . es . Levante-EMV . 2 April 2023.
  37. News: Nieto . E. . 2 December 2022 . Yolanda Díaz vuelve a Galicia y hace en A Coruña la segunda parada de 'Sumar' fuera de la capital . es . El Correo Gallego . A Coruña . 2 April 2023.
  38. News: Carnicero . Laura . 12 December 2022 . Yolanda Díaz presenta su proyecto Sumar en Zaragoza . es . El Periódico de Aragón . 2 April 2023.
  39. News: 14 January 2023 . Yolanda Díaz se pone el traje de campaña ante 2.000 personas en Barcelona y atiza a Sánchez por reunirse con fondos buitre de vivienda . es . 20 minutos . 2 April 2023.
  40. News: Porcel . Guillem . 27 January 2023 . Yolanda Díaz, en Palma: "Me dejaré la piel para que no gobierne Vox" . es . Diario de Mallorca . 2 April 2023.
  41. News: Estaire Cabañas . Óscar . 4 February 2023 . El éxito de Yolanda Díaz en Valladolid: colas multitudinarias, público fuera del acto y viaje con su hija . es . El Español . 2 April 2023.
  42. News: Yolanda Díaz visita hoy Albacete en la campaña de escucha de Sumar . es . Diario de Castilla-La Mancha . 2 April 2023.
  43. Web site: 20 February 2023 . Yolanda Díaz presentará el sábado su proyecto 'Sumar' en Murcia . es . Murcia Plaza . 2 April 2023.
  44. News: 27 February 2023 . Yolanda Díaz recalará este sábado en Santander con su proyecto Sumar . es . Europa Press . 2 April 2023.
  45. News: Cela . Daniel . 12 March 2023 . Yolanda Díaz desembarca con Sumar en Andalucía tras el deshielo político entre IU, Podemos y Más País . es . elDiario.es . 2 April 2023.
  46. News: 25 March 2023 . Yolanda Díaz anuncia nuevas leyes sobre economía social . es . Canarias7 . 2 April 2023.
  47. News: Chouza . Paula . 2 April 2023 . Yolanda Díaz lanza su candidatura para las elecciones generales y reivindica su autonomía: "Estamos cansadas de tutelas" . es . El País . 2 April 2023.
  48. News: Piñol . Àngels . Chouza . Paula . 6 June 2023 . El eurodiputado Ernest Urtasun será el portavoz de campaña de Sumar . es . El País . 7 June 2023.
  49. News: 30 May 2023 . Alianza Verde, partido ecologista de UP, acuerda iniciar conversaciones con Sumar para una candidatura de unidad . es . Europa Press . Madrid . 8 June 2023.
  50. News: 6 June 2023 . Drago Canarias, el partido de Alberto Rodríguez, anuncia un acuerdo con Sumar para concurrir juntos a los comicios . es . Europa Press . Santa Cruz de Tenerife . 8 June 2023.
  51. News: Fuentes . Mónica . 7 June 2023 . Chunta Aragonesista concurrirá con Sumar a las elecciones generales del 23-J . es . Heraldo de Aragón . 8 June 2023.
  52. News: 8 June 2023 . Iniciativa del Pueblo Andaluz acuerda ir en coalición con Sumar . es . elDiario.es . 8 June 2023.
  53. News: 8 June 2023 . Batzarre aprueba concurrir junto con Sumar a las elecciones generales . es . Diario de Noticias . 8 June 2023.
  54. News: Fabra . María . 31 May 2023 . Compromís negociará con Sumar unas listas con liderazgo propio en la Comunidad Valenciana . es . El País . Valencia . 9 June 2023.
  55. News: Martínez . Laura . 9 June 2023 . Puestos de salida, marca propia y autonomía parlamentaria: Compromís ratifica hoy el acuerdo con Sumar . es . elDiario.es . 9 June 2023.
  56. News: 30 May 2023 . IU, Alianza Verde y Verdes Equo anuncian su incorporación a Sumar para las elecciones del 23-J . es . La Vanguardia . Barcelona . 8 June 2023.
  57. News: 8 June 2023 . Verdes Equo sella un acuerdo con Sumar para concurrir juntos a las elecciones generales . es . Europa Press . Madrid . 8 June 2023.
  58. News: 30 May 2023 . Izquierda Unida anuncia que concurrirá con Sumar en las elecciones generales del 23J . es . laSexta . 8 June 2023.
  59. News: Gil . Andrés . Ortiz . Alberto . 9 June 2023 . IU cierra el acuerdo para concurrir con Sumar el 23J . es . elDiario.es . 9 June 2023.
  60. News: Mateo . Juan José . 7 June 2023 . Las bases de Más Madrid avalan la integración del partido en Sumar para las elecciones generales . es . El País . Madrid . 8 June 2023.
  61. News: Caballero . Fátima . 9 June 2023 . Sumar y Más Madrid cierran el acuerdo para concurrir a las elecciones del 23J . es . elDiario.es . 9 June 2023.
  62. News: Puente . Arturo . 9 June 2023 . Los comuns y Sumar acuerdan presentarse juntos a las elecciones del 23J . es . elDiario.es . 9 June 2023.
  63. News: Martínez . Laura . 1 June 2023 . Compromís avanza en las negociaciones con Sumar: "Tenemos un objetivo común" . es . elDiario.es . 8 June 2023.
  64. News: 2 June 2023 . Sí se Puede', a favor de listas unitarias en torno a Sumar . es . Europa Press . Santa Cruz de Tenerife . 2 June 2023.
  65. Web site: 2 June 2023 . Ganemos Jerez acuerda vincularse a Sumar . es . Ganemos Jerez . 7 June 2023.
  66. News: Cabanillas . Ana . 8 June 2023 . El partido ceutí de Fátima Hamed rechaza unirse a Sumar para las elecciones generales del 23J . es . El Periódico de España . 8 June 2023.
  67. News: Chouza . Paula . Mateo . Juan José . 7 June 2023 . Sumar ultima el acuerdo con Más Madrid y Compromís a la espera de Podemos . es . El País . Madrid . 8 June 2023.
  68. News: Ríos . Daniel . 7 June 2023 . La negociación de Sumar con Podemos queda en el aire tras un posible veto a Irene Montero . es . 20 minutos . 8 June 2023.
  69. News: Ortiz . Alberto . 7 June 2023 . Sumar afronta el sprint final de la negociación con 13 partidos y la incógnita de Podemos . es . elDiario.es . 8 June 2023.
  70. News: Vallín . Pedro . 9 June 2023 . Belarra garantiza que Podemos se integrará en Sumar pero pide levantar el veto a Montero . es . La Vanguardia . Madrid . 9 June 2023.
  71. News: Gil . Andrés . Ortiz . Alberto . 9 June 2023 . Sumar y Podemos firman un acuerdo para la unidad de la izquierda . es . elDiario.es . 9 June 2023.
  72. Web site: 2023-12-05 . Podemos rompe con Sumar y pasa al grupo mixto . 2023-12-05 . Electomanía . es.
  73. News: Carvajal . Álvaro . Fracaso total de Yolanda Díaz en el primer examen de Sumar y Podemos se hunde por detrás del Pacma . 17 July 2024 . El Mundo . 19 February 2024 . Spanish.
  74. News: Podemos sufre una debacle en Euskadi y se queda fuera del Parlamento y Sumar obtiene un único escaño . 17 July 2024 . RTVE . 21 April 2024 . Spanish.
  75. News: Rocha . Carlos . Yolanda Díaz suma en Cataluña su tercera caída, pero sus votos son imprescindibles para Illa . 17 July 2024 . El Confidencial . 12 May 2024 . Spanish.
  76. News: Leader of Spain’s left-wing Sumar resigns after EP election loss, will remain deputy PM . 17 July 2024 . EFE . 10 June 2024.
  77. News: Sumar europeísmo . El País . ANDREA RIZZI . 2022.
  78. Web site: Yolanda Díaz arremete contra el BCE y las empresas en una intervención sorprendente en la ONU . 2023-04-18 . El Debate . 18 April 2023 . es.
  79. Web site: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the state of the EU-Cuba PDCA in the light of the recent visit of the High Representative to the island . 2023-07-05 . europarl.europa.eu.
  80. Web site: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political disqualifications in Venezuela . 2023-07-12 . europarl.europa.eu.
  81. News: Cabanillas . Ana . García . Nacho . 31 March 2023 . El mapa de apoyos territoriales de Yolanda Díaz con Sumar . es . El Periódico de España . 2 April 2023.
  82. News: Carvajal . Álvaro . 1 April 2023 . Yolanda Díaz ata el apoyo de una quincena de partidos a su acto frente a la ausencia de Podemos . es . El Mundo . 2 April 2023.

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