Mónica García, the Minister of Health for the leftist coalition Sumar, has expressed her frustration regarding the perceived attempts by former Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias and Europarliament member Irene Montero, both from Podemos, to instruct her party.

García stated, 'I am tired of being lectured and told what we should do and what we are.' Speaking to the press following a government control session in the Senate, she remarked that she previously told Iglesias in 2021 that 'politics is not a Netflix movie,' indicating a desire for a more serious political discourse, and recently added that 'politics is not a ball pit.'

This statement came in response to Iglesias's recent comments on TVE, where he described Sumar as a 'losing formula' and suggested that unity among leftist factions would require part of Sumar to join the PSOE and the other to ally with Podemos.

García highlighted that her coalition represents the 'only progressive government in all of Europe,' asserting that it is pursuing the best of progressive policies during a delicate time.

She outlined that Más Madrid, a party within Sumar, is working to create a progressive space that she noted had previously been 'left in ashes' by others, claiming it is now leading the opposition in Madrid.

The leftist political landscape in Spain currently finds itself embroiled in a leadership debate.

Recently, Movimiento Sumar designated a new general coordination team led by Lara Hernández and Carlos Martín. On Sunday, Podemos unexpectedly nominated Irene Montero to lead the party.

Additionally, Antonio Maíllo, federal coordinator of Izquierda Unida, affirmed that his party could take the lead in the leftist candidacy.

In separate political documents submitted to their assemblies, both Movimiento Sumar and Podemos addressed the theme of leftist unity from different perspectives.

Sumar called for unity among all progressive parties with the goal of 're-editing' the coalition government by 2027. Hernández explained that the strategy is to 'gather diversity, aggregate differences, and reach agreements,' emphasizing the need for creativity, boldness, dialogue, and consensus in the current political climate.

Conversely, Podemos has pursued a strategy of direct opposition to both Sumar and the PSOE.

The party's spokesperson, Pablo Fernández, stated that they aim to 'weave alliances' with organized civil society, including pacifist associations and those addressing housing issues.

Notably, during the Podemos event, there was no discussion of including other parties in the candidacy.