Irene Montero's Bold Critique of Spain's Political Landscape at Book Launch
Irene Montero, former Minister of Equality and current Member of the European Parliament (MEP), launched her book "Algo habremos hecho" published by Ed Navona at an event in Casa Encendida, Madrid, attended by notable figures from both the past and present of Podemos. The evening was charged with pointed criticisms, particularly directed towards the political landscape in Spain and the rise of the Sumar coalition.
In her speech, Montero did not shy away from asserting that Sumar represented an attempt to undermine Podemos, a party she believes is fundamental to preserving alternative leftist power in the country. She argued that the coalition effectively transfers voting power on the left directly to the Socialist Party (PSOE) and its leader, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, further consolidating their control at the expense of more diverse political representation.
Highlighting past decisions, Montero lamented that one of Podemos’ critical mistakes was proposing Yolanda Díaz as an electoral reference. "We made that decision thinking it would expand the electoral space, but the power has been handed to someone who doesn't want to give anything," she remarked, emphasizing her frustration with how the political dynamics have shifted.
Montero revealed that Díaz had suggested she could take on the role of ambassador in Chile as a political exit, a proposition she viewed as humiliating. "It was based on the premise that they could be bought," Montero stated, suggesting that such negotiations diminish the integrity of political engagement.
The event featured a conversation between Montero and journalist Joana Bonet, allowing her to connect key themes from her book to the broader context of Spain's political evolution. Montero voiced her concern about how a media-driven progressive agenda appears to be positioning itself as a replacement for Podemos within the alternative left.
"What we are witnessing is a situation where only the PSOE holds power, and the authority granted by the people to other governing forces is effectively exercised by the Socialist Party," she noted, warning that this dynamic limits the potential for meaningful change in Spain's political landscape.
Referring to a recent discussion with a PSOE member about the proposed ambassadorship, Montero conveyed that she and Podemos's Secretary General Ione Belarra stood firm in rejecting such offers. "We are not going to accept those rules," she insisted, underlining a commitment to principled political engagement.
On a personal note, Montero reflected on the emotional toll of her decade in politics, indicating that despite the challenges posed by a bipartisan system, she believes the journey of Podemos is just beginning. "We have done our best. Even if the bipartisanship doesn't want to acknowledge it, we are determined to get the left back on its feet because Spain needs a progressive state," she declared, mixing resilience with a call for renewed determination.
Montero also touched upon her relationship with Pablo Iglesias, a pivotal figure in Podemos, though she chose not to elaborate during the event. The conversation briefly shifted to Iñigo Errejón, whose creation of Más Madrid in 2019 she had seen as a calculated attempt to fracture Podemos’s influence. She recalled the internal struggles leading up to the 2019 elections, where pressure mounted on Iglesias to allow the PSOE to govern without coalition—a compromise they ultimately rejected.
As she concluded her speech, Montero addressed the challenges that remain urgent, including the controversy surrounding the "only yes means yes" law and recent judicial decisions that question its effectiveness. She criticized Sánchez for his handling of these issues, arguing that by sidestepping the Ministry of Equality, he miscalculated the impact such a move would have on progressive ideals.
Despite the hurdles and deep-seated issues in Spain's political fabric, Montero remains optimistic. "These years have been very tough, but we have also been capable of doing the most beautiful things," she expressed, affirming her belief in the ongoing need for a strong and united left in Spain.
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