Comuns has highlighted the broad support that the possibility of the former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, being the candidate for the general elections on November 29th awakens within Sumar. However, it warns that conversations remain open and calls for expanding the project to more formations, among which it explicitly mentions Podemos, Compromís, Chunta Aragonesista, and Més.
From the Catalan organization, they explain that to continue advancing in the creation of the coalition, it is essential to keep expanding the Frente Amplio to new political forces, including the 'purples'.
In this sense, they align with the position of the former mayor of the city of Barcelona, who this Thursday stated that she was willing to be the candidate of the Frente Amplio, but under the condition that it included the 'purples' and the rest of the territorial allies with whom Comuns have shared a parliamentary group in Congress.
"No one is surplus," Comuns have added to insist that they want these parties to be within the Frente Amplio and that "the formula that best adapts to their reality" must be found. In fact, they have emphasized that "it is time for generosity and openness."
At the same time, they emphasize that it is necessary to "reach and announce a global agreement where all forces feel represented," something that, they underline, requires "dialogue and discretion."
In this line, they detail that this is their proposal for the Frente Amplio and point out that conversations with Movimiento Sumar, IU, and Más Madrid are advancing "in the right direction" to articulate a "strong and plural" coalition, although they remain "open" despite the fact that for them it is good news that Colau is willing to lead and is a "consensus name."
The negotiations between the formations that make up the Frente Amplio are taking place on several levels and address the proclamation of the candidate for the Presidency, the constituency for which they will run, and the position that the main representatives of each party will occupy on the lists.
In addition, another key issue is added: the integration of Podemos in case a coalition pact is reached with the 'purples', who maintain as a condition for unity with the forces of the Frente Amplio the holding of open primaries to choose a candidate --to which the former minister Irene Montero would present herself--.
COMPLICATED INTEGRATION IN THE MADRID LISTS
The internal climate has become tense since Más Madrid proposed that the former mayor of Barcelona be the candidate for the Presidency of the Government, but heading the constituency of Barcelona instead of doing so for the capital. This formula implied that the Minister of Health, Mónica García, would be left out of that struggle, despite having sounded strong in the betting pools. In exchange, according to sources from the formation, their goal would be for the minister to lead the list for Madrid and reserve the top positions of that candidacy for their leaders.
Diverse sectors linked to Frente Amplio recognize that the list for Madrid, and consequently that of Barcelona, has become the main focus of friction. They consider that Más Madrid's intention to dominate the Madrid candidacy is excessive and that it will be necessary to reach a point of balance with the partners, although there are also those who understand that the formation does not want to give up having García as the head of the list for Madrid.
It is also taken for granted that IU will have a relevant role in the heads of the list of Frente Amplio in Andalusia, but as a state force, it also aspires to have a prominent presence in Madrid and the Community of Valencia, territory where Compromís intends to lead the candidacy.
In Barcelona, while waiting for Colau's decision, the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, has also been mentioned as a member of the list. He even appeared in the betting pools to head it, but the emergence of the former mayor has altered the entire board until it is clarified what his role will ultimately be.
Precisely today, Colau has invited the spokesperson for ERC in Congress, Gabriel Rufián, to be part of Frente Amplio and exercise his leadership to try to finish uniting the state left. In this way, she shows herself in favor of taking on another secondary role where she could be useful.