Sumar Movement extends a hand to Podemos and Rufián for the Broad Front: "The lefts are going to go together"

Verónica Martínez Barbero has defended this Friday a candidatura of the Frente Amplio that incorporates Podemos and has opened the door to Gabriel Rufián, while negotiations continue for the elections on November 29. "We are going to go together, the lefts, let that be clear," said the co-leader of Movimiento Sumar in an interview on 'Malas Lenguas', on La 2. Her message expresses confidence in the agreement, although the incorporation of both parties is still pending.

"We want Podemos to be in," Martínez Barbero insisted, chosen by the bases of Movimiento Sumar with 98% support to represent her organization in the coalition. The leader proposes a project that survives the elections, with medium and long-term agreements that avoid repeating every four years the discussion on how to run. "The method or the candidate person are not the only decision," she stressed.

Colau, the lists and the primaries

Martínez Barbero has announced that the leadership will be known in a few days, before the presentation event scheduled for October 17. "Have no doubt that we are going to choose the best person", she affirmed. Among the names on the table she has placed Ada Colau, whom, as she explained, all organizations value and appreciate "very much". She has also defended that the decision be adopted collectively.

As 'ElConstitucional.es' published this afternoon, Colau maintains the greatest internal support and continuous dialogue with Irene Montero and Rufián, but the agreement remains conditioned by the lists. Madrid concentrates a good part of the dispute. Más Madrid proposes that Mónica García lead the candidacy for the capital and that Colau lead the project from Barcelona, while other sectors advocate that the former mayor can run for Madrid.

Podemos maintains its open primaries for October 14 and 15, immediately before the close of the coalition registration on the 16th. Martínez Barbero has asked for "responsibility from all" and to negotiate without vetoes, without committing to accept that procedure. He considers that limiting the pact to how the candidate is chosen means "reducing a complex and highly important process to absurdity." Against Podemos' emphasis on voting, he has advocated for decisions "collectively and not competitively".

Polls explain part of the pressure. The 40dB. survey published this Friday estimates between seven and nine deputies for Frente Amplio and Podemos separately, with 7.6% of the joint vote. A shared candidacy would reach 9.5% and between fifteen and nineteen seats. These are scenarios from the same poll, which maintains the absolute majority of PP and Vox even with the alternative left united. The provincial distribution can especially penalize division in small constituencies.

The door to Rufián and contacts for the Senate

Martínez Barbero praised the mobilization capacity of the ERC spokesperson, especially among young people. "He is an immense electoral asset," she stated, before offering him a way to join. "We have all the phones waiting for that call if Gabriel Rufián wants to be in Frente Amplio, we can answer that call." Asked about recent contacts, her response was a public offer, without specifying conversations or confirming an agreement.

Rufián's approach continues to involve representing ERC accompanied by other "left-wing and anti-fascist" forces. The republican leadership maintains its commitment to him, although it contemplates alternatives if he ultimately does not repeat. Jordi Albert has begun collecting endorsements to be part of the list as a representative of Baix Llobregat, a movement that does not yet equate to a designation as head of the candidacy. Movimiento Sumar's invitation coincides with Belarra's offer to "team up" with Rufián.

The interview has also opened another negotiation channel. Martínez Barbero has confirmed contacts with the PSOE to explore shared candidacies for the Senate, at the request of civil society groups. This conversation has a different scope than the agreement for the Congress and is still pending. "We are going to do everything possible, obviously, to respond to that request," she said. When asked about the dialogue with the socialists, she confirmed that they are "in contact with the Socialist Party to move forward with this".