The possibilities of re-editing victory for the so-called progressive bloc are limited, according to the polls, and all forces are seeking strategies that maximize their options.
After the pact between the PSOE and Frente Amplio to coordinate candidacies for the Senate and try to break the absolute majority that the PP aims to re-edit on November 29, the question was whether this strategy could be re-edited for Congress.
And more so after the words of Emilio Delgado, number one of Frente Amplio for Madrid, who left that possibility open and even spoke of "open" and "ongoing" negotiations with the PSOE to "maximize" electoral results.
Denial from Frente Amplio
Delgado's statements on 'La Noche en 24h' of TVE were denied hours later by Frente Amplio but also by the general coordinator of Izquierda Unida, Antonio Maíllo, who limited the pact with the PSOE to the Senate.
"That debate has not been opened in Congress nor do I think it is contemplated," Maíllo assured in statements to the media in the Andalusian Parliament, where he is a deputy.
From Frente Amplio they assure, in sources to DEMÓCRATA, that the coalition does not maintain any type of negotiation or open dialogue with the PSOE to coordinate candidacies and that their intention is to run in each and every province.
Other sources acknowledge an internal debate
However, other sources within Frente Amplio do acknowledge to DEMÓCRATA an internal debate about the scope of this alliance with the PSOE and the possibility of not registering candidacies in constituencies where obtaining a seat seems more complicated.
The issue, in any case, was part of an internal discussion and there was by no means a defined position, nor was there, given a strong opposition to renouncing to run in some constituencies.
The debate, at least officially, seems to be definitively shelved in light of the forcefulness of the denials following Delgado's statements.
What impact would it have?
The possible withdrawal of candidacies would aim to concentrate the leftist vote in smaller constituencies, where the chances of obtaining a seat by Frente Amplio are more reduced.
The problem is that this strategy does not translate into an automatic transfer of voters to the PSOE and that, even if that were the case, it would not necessarily mean more seats for this party.
It is possible that there are provinces where greater support for the PSOE facilitates obtaining the last seat in play, which ends up being irrelevant as it does not make a difference, or indirectly benefit another party.
The calculations and electoral parables in search of seats seem even more dramatic when considering the lack of agreement between Frente Amplio and Podemos to present a single list in this type of constituency, as the dispersion further complicates the chances of achieving representation.
And that is another of the faces when deciding not to run in a constituency: it would imply not fighting against the PSOE and would give wings to the other competitor for the vote in a coinciding space, Podemos.