Spain’s Sumar Party Challenges Government on Housing and Institutional Presence on X
Verónica Barbero, parliamentary spokesperson for Sumar, defended the Spanish government’s handling of the recent railway tragedy in Adamuz, stating it “did what it should: provide information, be transparent, coordinate, and launch an immediate investigation.” However, she simultaneously called for increased investment in local and medium-distance rail networks, criticized the opposition’s behavior during the period of national mourning, and pressed the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) to extend expiring rental agreements and remove government institutional communication from X, formerly known as Twitter, following a public dispute between the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, and President Pedro Sánchez.
Barbero characterized X as a tool “at the service of global fascism,” arguing that a platform owned by an ally of Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed a desire to end European democracies, poses a security risk. “A platform that can read our private messages, even yours. That has reached an agreement with the Pentagon to hand over all shared information in real time. That promotes organized harassment; a platform that allows the creation of fake nudes using AI; that encourages digital violence against women and child pornography,” she stated. “we ask, Mr. President, that institutional accounts migrate to safe and transparent alternatives.”
The debate extends to housing policy, where Sumar is pushing for more aggressive measures. Barbero highlighted the growing disparity between rental income and tenant affordability. “Today, landlords’ income is 82% higher than that of tenants. We are talking about almost 25,000 euros difference per year. And that is a lot, a lot, a lot of money for most people. Are we going to allow it? Can we afford it? We are clear that no. Let’s approve the extension of the rentals now. Bring it to this chamber. And don’t tell us that the numbers don’t add up, because today the problem is not the numbers, it’s their immobility,” she challenged lawmakers.
Barbero also criticized the right-wing opposition for blocking social programs and pension increases in Congress two weeks prior, and referenced ongoing negotiations in Extremadura and Aragón to form a government. “You, Mr. Feijóo, are running to beg Vox not to block you. At the same time that in this chamber you block the Spanish people. And if you haven’t noticed, Mr. Feijóo, the official branch of Trumpism already exists in Spain. It’s called Vox. And its leader, Mr. Abascal, has shown that he is willing to betray Spain whenever the opportunity arises.”
Sumar also took aim at Junts, the Catalan party, for voting against a reduction in working hours, a key labor initiative, last September. “Ladies and gentlemen of Junts, at this moment there are only two options: that of democracy and social cohesion or that of authoritarianism, which dreams of putting you and many Catalans and Catalanas in jail,” Barbero concluded.
The tensions within the governing coalition, as highlighted by Sumar’s criticisms, underscore the challenges facing Prime Minister Sánchez in maintaining unity while pursuing a progressive agenda. The party’s focus on housing affordability and concerns about the security of government communications on platforms like X reflect a broader effort to position itself as a champion of social justice and democratic values. The situation is further complicated by the rise of right-wing narratives and the influence of actors like Elon Musk, which Sumar views as a threat to democratic institutions, according to the Civic Space Report 2025 Spain.
Recent reports indicate Sumar is attempting to de-escalate tensions with the PSOE, particularly regarding Sánchez’s proposal to offer incentives to landlords who refrain from raising rents. Lara Hernández, a co-coordinator general of Sumar, has urged the PSOE to engage in negotiations to reach a consensus on housing policy within the framework of the government, according to reports.
The current situation follows a period of decline in support for Sumar, with polls showing a loss of over half its support since the general election. This decline, coupled with internal divisions and a recent scandal involving a key strategist, has raised questions about the future of one of Europe’s few broad-left governments. The party’s ability to navigate these challenges and deliver on its promises will be crucial in determining its prospects for reelection.
