Spanish Lawmaker Calls for Left-Wing Unity, Defends Attacked Figures
Madrid – A Spanish lawmaker used a parliamentary session Wednesday to call for unity on the left and to defend political leaders and commentators who have recently faced attacks. Verónica Barbero, parliamentary spokesperson for Sumar, similarly acknowledged a coalition formed by IU, Más Madrid, Comunes and Movimiento Sumar to contest upcoming general elections.
Barbero expressed gratitude to Compromís, CHA, Més, EH Bildu, BNG, Podemos and ERC, signaling an effort to build alliances with parties she has worked with during the current legislative session. The move underscores a desire for broader cooperation among left-leaning groups in Spain.
“We know that we cannot allow these turncoats, who have no master but money, to come to power,” Barbero stated. “There is a progressive people out there demanding that we rise to the occasion. And we must do everything possible to ensure that Spain remains a democratic country, a country of social progress.”
Barbero asserted that “unity is required against those who use harassment, intimidation and violence to discipline us, and especially women.” She argued that attacks on women who speak out are not simply personal, but represent a broader offensive aimed at silencing dissenting voices and limiting democratic freedoms.
“Due to the fact that when they pursue a woman for speaking clearly, for expressing her opinion or for occupying public space, they are not attacking just one person. They are sending a message to all of us: be quiet, step aside, go back to your place,” she said. “And this is not just about machismo. It is also about a reactionary offensive that wants a democracy with fewer voices, less freedom and fewer uncomfortable women.”
Barbero then specifically named Rita Maestre, Irene Montero, Ione Belarra, Tesh Sidi and Aina Vidal as individuals who have been targeted. She continued, “They will not silence Cristina Fallarás, nor Ana Requena, nor Carolina Pecharromán, nor Luciana Peker, nor Marta Nebot, nor Carla Galeote, nor Sara Plaza, nor Cristina Monge. They will not silence Sarah Santaolalla; they will not silence the students of the Complutense University or the 8M Commission of Madrid.”
Notably, no representatives from Podemos were present in the chamber during Barbero’s remarks.
