See «sufficient reason» for the right to return to govern in C-LM so that progressive parties sit at a table
CAMPO DE CRIPTANA (CIUDAD REAL), 6 (EUROPA PRESS)
Movimiento Sumar in Castilla-La Mancha is going to work «as much as possible» to enter the regional Parliament in the upcoming regional elections, aware that there are currently «uncovered sensitivities» in the Autonomous Community but also that the region «would benefit greatly from counterbalances».
This was expressed in an interview with Europa Press from Campo de Criptana (Ciudad Real) by the two coordinators of Movimiento Sumar in Castilla-La Mancha, María Rodríguez and Jesús Plaza, who admit that the upcoming elections «look difficult» but clarify that the goal is «to try to improve as much as possible in the shortest time possible».
They are also clear that the «mirror» to look at is the Government of Spain, where for the first time there is a coalition government that, in their opinion, «is working out quite well», Plaza indicates, citing as an example the increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Salary or the reversal regarding the arms contract with Israel.
And if this were to be reflected here, «it would possibly be beneficial for Castilla-La Mancha», he assumes, convinced that if the Government of Castilla-La Mancha were to provide «a little more support» to the national government, «possibly we would also do a little better».
«Counterbalances are very good», he adds, because absolute majorities «ultimately create addictions that are natural, due to having an absolute majority,» and that is why «here in Castilla-La Mancha counterbalances would be very beneficial, having a government like the one the nation has with counterbalances, would be very good, a coalition government.»
Movimiento Sumar, which hopes that «hopefully in the future» they will achieve representation in the region’s parliament, points out that this party stands on the side of all those issues that are not being addressed, such as motherhood or feminism, Rodríguez clarifies.
LEFT COALITION
Following their election in March, the two coordinators of Movimiento Sumar in Castilla-La Mancha have already held a working meeting with Izquierda Unida –specifically with the regional coordinator, Pedro Mellado, and with the secretary of the PCE in Toledo, Pepe Iniesta–, and although «no specific issue or determination was reached, and no pact was signed,» common elements were put in motion.
«We are two different forces,» emphasizes Jesús Plaza, who indicates that the important thing is «to set this political space in motion» and, if possible, that «it will go very well in the future.» «It won’t be because of us,» he clarifies, sure that in the future they can reach «projects» and «common lines,» also with Podemos. «Why not?».
Regarding this last party and the criticisms expressed by their regional coordinator, José Luis García Gascón, towards the results of Sumar, María Rodríguez «would regret» if «more aggressive statements about us led us astray from the main goal, which is the work, in a project to improve people’s lives.»
«For me, in general, everything related to political circus is very far from me,» she declares, pointing out that the question is whether «we are going to bet on political projects that are truly progressive and that help us move Castilla-La Mancha forward.»
Regarding the coalition with Izquierda Unida, Rodríguez is aware that this is something managed at the state level, but she adds that Movimiento Sumar has «the attitude to reach that coalition and hopefully it can happen and we can reach a candidacy.»
«GIVING IT YOUR ALL» TO PREVENT THE RIGHT FROM GOVERNING
However, Movimiento Sumar will also request a meeting with the PSOE of Castilla-La Mancha –the progressive part of the PSOE, they clarify, because they also see a progressive space there «that is dissatisfied»–, «mainly because of what is coming our way, or possibly could come our way» in the political future, alluding to the need to «put on the table what it would mean in the future for Vox to govern in Castilla-La Mancha.
«When the right governs in Castilla-La Mancha, we know what usually happens, we wouldn’t want it to happen again,» clarifies the coordinator of Movimiento Sumar, who emphasizes that they will «give it their all» to prevent that from happening, and for that, «the political parties in the progressive sphere must act.»
According to Plaza, «it’s not about going against anyone, it’s not about trench politics,» but he acknowledges that the fact that in the future the region could be governed by Vox and the PP, «I believe that is a strong enough force, or a sufficient reason to sit at a table.» «We won’t hesitate» about it, he emphasizes.
In this sense, and as the only red line, Movimiento Sumar Castilla-La Mancha asserts that «they will not sit with Vox» because they would not «get anywhere.» «We are day and night; we are a very different, reactionary force, we cannot sit with them.»
They could sit with the PP, if there were «a progressive PP» in Castilla-La Mancha, lamenting that the ‘popular’ party in the region «is simply a puppet at the national level, it’s as if it were a ventricle of the national PP,» with a political project that «one day tells you one thing, the next day tells you another.»
«SOCIAL JUSTICE»
After the approval of their candidacy at the regional level –which will need to be ratified after the state assembly–, Movimiento Sumar has representatives in all the provinces of the region, pending the establishment of the group in Cuenca, who are dedicating themselves to «working with the people» and understanding their problems, within a project that both define as «social justice» and that can only be carried out «for and with the people.»
The issues of large-scale farms, social services, the LGTBI collective, those working in social services, labor dignity, housing issues, and Primary Care, are included in the roadmap of Movimiento Sumar, which believes that «the best way» to make society understand that they want to «convey a new politics» is to approach people and understand what they are going through.
In fact, they agree that raising people’s issues «as high as possible» can help «remove that disenchantment» that exists, especially among young people, about the current Spanish politics.