Sánchez's other Achilles heel

"Why are four Podemos MPs worth less than seven from Junts?" This was the bitter question a leader of the purple space asked herself a few months ago, demanding that Pedro Sánchez's government negotiate on equal terms like the one the post-Convergents are holding with the Socialists. They soon changed tack, hardening their positions in the Congress votes—they were already playing in the mixed group and far from Sumar—and now they are standing up to the president over the corruption cases involving their two former organization secretaries. Of all the investiture partners, they are the ones establishing their own profile against the rest of their allies who are still hesitant about the steps they should take given the current state of the legislature.

Well, them...and Compromís. A member of the party has decided to join the ranks of the mixed group, after leaving Sumar amid criticism of Yolanda Díaz and Pedro Sánchez. They blame the situation on the plurinational party's refusal to summon the Prime Minister to testify in the corruption cases, but they have long wanted to break free from Sumar's ties. They want to fly free like Podemos does and, in the event of a potential electoral contest, have "all the tools" to mount a "robust opposition" to the PSOE.

The departures of Podemos and Compromís are wearing down Sumar and putting it in a situation of uncertainty.

But the exodus may not stop at Compromís and may also affect Mes per Mallorca and Chunta, which are already considering following suit and will debate internally whether to join the ranks of the mixed group. The strain these defections represent for Sumar and the diatribes directed at it within Podemos have placed the plurinational space in a state of uncertainty from which it will be difficult to escape.

Sumar celebrated its second anniversary at the end of May, and has failed to consolidate its position. Its role is completely blurred within the government and beyond. Yolanda Díaz, who remains the party's visible leader, has failed to consolidate her leadership among the other parties that make up the movement, and Antonio Maíllo's calls for left-wing reunification appear to be too late.

At a time when the PSOE is under pressure from the serious corruption cases surrounding it, Sumar's weakness is also causing rifts. This could mean the possibility of a new budget, if negotiations are even on the table, and of Sánchez being able to complete his term.