Spain's Movimiento Sumar party erupts in leadership crisis

On 10 June 2024, Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz resigned as leader of the Movimiento Sumar party she founded, citing a need to focus on her government role. Her departure triggered the party's deepest internal turmoil yet. Within days, Laura Moreno, the party’s secretary of organisation, quit and revealed allegations of fraud and a new internal investigation into co‑ordinator Lara Hernández for alleged workplace harassment after roughly half a dozen complaints were lodged.

Hernández, who became co‑ordinator in March 2023, has faced mounting pressure from party members. At a two‑hour meeting attended by about fifty affiliates, multiple attendees demanded explanations from Hernández about the accusations, but she remained silent. Potential successors being discussed include Verónica Martínez Barbero and Rosa Martínez, the secretary of State for Social Rights.

The party must elect new leadership at its assembly on 11 July, and the crisis casts doubt on who will lead the coalition into the upcoming general election, with some observers pointing to minister Pablo Bustinduy as a possible candidate. The turmoil underscores the challenge of rebuilding cohesion within the new‑left formation ahead of the national vote.