Madrid is hosting the second state assembly of Movimiento Sumar this weekend, amidst efforts to revitalize a project that has faced significant challenges following a series of electoral setbacks and the departures of key figures including Íñigo Errejón and Elizabeth Duval.

The party aims to reclaim lost electoral support achieved during its establishment in the 2023 general elections and has issued a call for collaboration with Podemos, seeking a future 'understanding' to reinforce the left-wing space adjacent to the PSOE, potentially paving the way for a renewed coalition government in 2027.

Ernest Urtasun opened the assembly, with key leader Yolanda Díaz absent from the proceedings, instead expected to participate in the closing day.

Urtasun sought to galvanize the approximately fifty delegates in attendance in Rivas, urging them to redefine the party’s identity and discuss the 759 proposed amendments to organizational and political documents.

Urtasun highlighted initiatives such as the rise in the minimum wage and the reduction of working hours, championed by the five Sumar ministers, asserting that they have contributed positively to citizens' living conditions.

He specifically called for unity with Podemos, framing the message with the idea that 'plurality does not contradict unity' in the quest to forge a unified electoral strategy capable of countering the rise of the far-right.

In a notable shift, Sumar has committed to advancing its electoral alliance policies to prevent 'last-minute agreements following public confrontations.' This remark pointed to previous tensions with Podemos during the assembly of lists for the July 23 elections, which contributed to the latter's exit from the plurinational parliamentary group.

Discussions concerning potential collaborations with like-minded political allies dominated much of the gathering, particularly as Sumar has struggled to reconcile diverse narratives into a cohesive discourse since its inception a year and a half ago.

The original vision of Yolanda Díaz to create an umbrella party that could encompass groups such as IU, Más Madrid, Catalunya en Comú, and Chunta has been set aside in favor of a new model that encourages 'equal footing' partnerships and the possibility of primary elections.

In terms of leadership, the official candidacy led by Yolanda Díaz emerged unopposed, largely owing to the absence of support for an alternative slate presented by militants from the Balearic Islands.

Consequently, Lara Hernández, currently the Secretary of Organization, and Carlos Martín, the economic spokesperson and deputy, are set to be confirmed as the new general coordinators.

Díaz will assume the role of institutional coordinator while awaiting to announce her candidacy intentions for the national elections.

The approved political and organizational documents categorize Sumar as a 'laborist, ecosocialist, feminist, antiracist, and plurinational' force.

Key objectives include advancing towards a 32-hour workweek, establishing a 'universal inheritance' system designed to provide financial resources for youth from all backgrounds, and including the 'A+' designation to represent asexual individuals within the LGBTQI community.

Further socio-economic initiatives aim to ensure that psychological care becomes a basic healthcare service and to prohibit the speculative buying and selling of residential properties.

Additionally, Sumar advocates for companies to distribute a share of profits to workers and emphasizes the democratization of corporate governance by introducing employee representation in boardrooms.