Political tension is rising in Spain: following a difficult week for the government, Izquierda Unida leader Antonio Maíllo has called on the country’s left-wing forces to speed up consolidation and mobilization. He believes conditions are now primed for a strong showing in the upcoming elections, beginning in December in Extremadura and culminating with the general election.
The domestic political situation has become more complicated after the Junts party in Congress announced plans to distance itself from the ruling coalition, resulting in a budget freeze and the blocking of several legislative initiatives. Despite this, Maíllo is convinced that the parliamentary crisis should not be grounds for an early dissolution of the Cortes. He maintains that even without new budgets, the government can continue its work if it secures support from the broadest possible coalition.
A significant step toward left-wing unity was the agreement to run jointly in the elections with Podemos and Alianza Verde under the Unidas por Extremadura banner. Maíllo emphasizes that this alliance allowed Izquierda Unida to expand its presence in the regional parliament and achieve a more balanced distribution of seats between men and women.
Mobilization and new challenges for the left
The report, currently under discussion at the party’s federal coordination meeting, emphasizes that the mass protests in support of Palestine and solidarity with participants in the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza have served as a catalyst for awakening social activism among the left. According to IU leadership, this has created a unique window of opportunity to form a broad coalition and attract new supporters.
The party also criticized the actions of the Partido Popular (PP) over the crisis in the healthcare screening system in Andalucía and accused the Valencian government of inefficiency and a lack of social sensitivity. Furthermore, the report notes that the prosecution of Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz is viewed as part of pressure from the judiciary on the government.
Strategy for the coming months
Izquierda Unida is continuing talks to form a united front with other leftist forces in Castilla y León and Andalucía. The party believes that only through open primaries and joint development of program agreements can true citizen participation in key decision-making be achieved. Mayo stresses that now is the perfect time to accelerate this process and not miss the chance for change.
In conclusion, the party insists on the need to submit a 2026 budget proposal to parliament, one that focuses on social spending and prevents any increase in military expenditures. If the vote fails, IU sees no grounds for the automatic dissolution of parliament, believing that political stability can be maintained even in a temporary budgetary vacuum.
