Nothing better than a countdown to feel the need and urgency. And nothing better than a personal relationship to encourage dialogue. The negotiations between the Frente Amplio and Podemos are advancing little by little and what seemed impossible a few months ago is taking shape, because steps have been taken towards the direction of presenting a unity candidacy in the elections on November 29, although it still has to be closed.
The sources consulted in the space emphasize that a factor that has been decisive in unblocking the situation and favoring the negotiations to have evolved has been in the "direct thread" that exists between Ada Colau, still unofficial candidate of the left coalition, and Irene Montero, official candidate of the purple ones.
With their conversations, the two have facilitated the thaw between the two blocs and the dialogue has once again become truly fluid between the political parties to explore a joint alliance. This horizon was analyzed with pessimism not so long ago, however, now there is a will so that this can finally be completed. An example of this eagerness is in the high doses of prudence and silence that leaders and parties exhibit when asked about the negotiation. Nobody wants to harm. Use caution while there is time.
Since her emergence, Ada Colau has been setting the condition of being the candidate of the alternative left that Podemos join to form "a truly broad front" and present an exciting candidacy. And the former mayor of Barcelona wanted to roll up her sleeves to achieve it, getting personally involved in the challenge so that this dialogue can take place.
She has maintained bridges with Podemos and Irene Montero at all times despite the ups and downs that the space has gone through since before the creation of Sumar. This was an element that Colau's defenders already highlighted could be decisive, both in facilitating a unity agreement and in establishing herself as the new leader.
This push has paved a terrain in which the parties are now developing, who, sources in the space emphasize, are the ones who are negotiating, - Colau has not given way - to bring positions closer together. Commons and IU do it in particular.
Context is also playing an important role in this approach. In Puerta del Sol and other squares there are camps for housing, the mobilizations are multiplying and the death of Maricarmen has generated an absolute impact. All of this is environmental pressure that is pushing to achieve an agreement.
But to be fruitful, it still has to overcome certain obstacles. One is to fit Podemos candidates into electoral lists that are very tight. The forecast of a lower number of deputies greatly strains the negotiations because there is a lack of places to place people.
This problem is not exclusive to the dialogue with Podemos. As EL MUNDO explained yesterday, Madrid's list is a powder keg because Más Madrid claims the main positions for itself, but Comunes wants to place Colau there and IU claims a position for its reference, Toni Valero. A pact with Podemos would imply opening a prominent place for Montero.
Colau offered Podemos a "role" and "visibility." «Everyone can have their role and places on the electoral lists, there is room for everyone. But what is needed above all is generosity and courage to put what is important first," he said in Ser.
That's why Podemos gives up the challenge of holding primaries. It is another of the obstacles to overcome for the agreement. There are alternatives such as consulting its bases as it already did in 2023.
