Sumar
A clear guide to Sumar in Spain: its history, progressivism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Spain
- Founded
- 2023 (as an electoral alliance)
- Position
- Left-wing
- Leader
- Yolanda Díaz (founder); Ernest Urtasun (spokesperson)
- Headquarters
- Madrid
Sumar is a left-wing political movement and electoral alliance founded by Yolanda Díaz, Spain's second deputy prime minister and minister of labour. It is the junior partner in Pedro Sánchez's coalition government and brings together parties including United Left, Más Madrid, Compromís and Catalunya en Comú. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun is its spokesperson.
History
Díaz, a labour lawyer and former member of the Communist Party, launched Sumar in 2022 to reorganise the left after the decline of Podemos. It ran as an alliance in the July 2023 election, initially including Podemos, and entered government with the PSOE that November.
Podemos left the alliance's parliamentary group in December 2023. Sumar performed poorly in the 2024 European election, after which Díaz stepped back from its organisational leadership while remaining in government.
Economic Policy
Sumar's signature achievements include the 2021 labour reform limiting temporary contracts, large minimum wage increases and a bill to cut the working week to 37.5 hours, which the Congress rejected in 2025. It supports higher taxes on wealth and large companies and stronger tenant protections.
Foreign Policy
Sumar is critical of higher military spending and has pushed for a stronger stance against Israel's war in Gaza.
Where They Stand
- Supports cutting the working week to 37.5 hours without loss of pay
- Has driven large increases in the minimum wage
- Favours higher taxes on wealth and big companies
- Calls for rent controls and stronger tenant rights
- Opposes increased military spending
Electoral Record
Sumar won 12.3 percent and 31 seats in 2023, but only 4.7 percent in the 2024 European election.
Position on the Political Compass
Sumar sits on the left-leaning side on economics and is more libertarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Yolanda Díaz
Founder; Second Deputy Prime Minister since 2021
A labour lawyer who launched Sumar and leads the labour ministry.
Ernest Urtasun
Spokesperson; Minister of Culture
A former MEP who serves as Sumar's spokesperson.
Sources and Further Reading
- Sumar (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official websitemovimientosumar.es
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Spain political test to see how your views compare with Sumar and the other parties.
Take the Spain Test
Social Policy
The alliance is progressive, supporting feminism, LGBT rights and a more open migration policy.