The parliamentary spokesperson for IU and deputy for Sumar, Enrique Santiago, indicated this Thursday that they will analyze the initiative proposed by ERC spokesperson Gabriel Rufián to create a new state-level left-wing space. However, he anticipates that he does not see a true project for the country in it and issues a warning about "exaggerated egos" and the "risk of hyper-leadership."
"We are very pleased with the offers from people who are willing to work for the unity of the state-level left and we are delighted to analyze any concrete proposal made to us," Santiago said in Congress.
Along these lines, he stressed that any initiative of this type must be built around "political, programmatic, and strategic" proposals and supported by "collective organizational processes," in which both political forces and social movements participate.
"I believe that in these years we have learned a lot about the risks of hyper-leadership," stated Santiago, who added that, "frankly," that formula does not have "a basis on which a government alternative can be articulated," although he specified that they are waiting for it to be detailed.
Therefore, the communist leader reiterated that "any proposal is welcome" because there are "people open to studying any possibility" and explained that they are immersed in a process of building "a step forward" around the organizations integrated into the Sumar coalition, while declaring themselves "very interested in greater convergences" and in consolidating that path.
"Spain needs a state-level left-wing project"
When questioned about Rufián's statements that the problem in this country is "national left-wings" and about the fit of formations like Izquierda Unida or Sumar, Santiago defended the need for a "project for the country" that includes all citizens who live and work "in any of the territories."
In his opinion, Spain requires "a state-level left-wing project" and, in that context, it is about "adding" and bringing together different progressive forces. "Anyone who discriminates, makes distinctions, or excludes left-wing forces makes a mistake. But well, that's the problem of whoever does it," he warned.
The Sumar parliamentarian recalled that they have always opted for convergence between forces of a state scope and formations with a "more limited, regional, national" territorial reach, citing the Sumar coalition itself as an example. In this regard, he insisted that their objective is to strengthen the coordination space between different left-wing parties, because he considers that this framework "is really what will allow there to continue to be a left-wing government in Spain".
"Exaggerated egos, a problem on the left"
In the same vein, in an interview on "TVE", reported by Europa Press, Santiago stressed that "exaggerated egos" have been "a problem on the left". And he defended that the "state left" has "more than proven its concern for defending and improving the lives of the working class".
Furthermore, he confessed that he is "eager" for someone to explain Rufián's proposal to them because they have asked on several occasions, but they have not yet had "the luck" to get a response. Likewise, he stated that they are willing to negotiate and participate in the proposal. "Of course," he concluded.