SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 11th May (EUROPA PRESS) –
Lorena López, the candidate of Sumar-Nueva Canarias for the forthcoming European Parliament elections, has stated that the Canary Islands “are taking a risk on the 9th of June in light of the threat posed by the extreme right” and has praised Nueva Canarias’ decision to join forces in the upcoming elections with Sumar, which “upholds policies and values similar to those advocated by NC-BC.”
“Given the current political climate in Europe and the Canary Islands, we believe it is essential for the electorate and progressive groups in our islands to rally around the only ‘left-wing’ candidacy here that stands a chance of being represented in the European Union,” Lorena López said, emphasizing that the election coalition they are part of consists of “territorial parties sharing ideas and principles that will ensure the protection of people’s rights and freedoms.”
López pointed out that around 300,000 votes are required to secure representation in the European Parliament, a goal that “territorial parties can only achieve through coordination and cooperation in extensive electoral platforms, uniting forces and attaining sufficient representation to convey our specific demands.”
NC-BC previously participated in the 2019 European elections alongside territorial left-wing parties like Compromís and Chunta Aragonesista. These parties, on this occasion, are uniting with Movimiento Sumar, which also includes Catalunya en Comú, Más Madrid, Partido Castellano-Tierra Comunera, and the Andalusian People’s Initiative, as well as national parties Izquierda Unida and Verdes Equo.
“We are observing a surge in extreme right rhetoric, which stands a good chance of entering the next European Union government, therefore the progressive forces cannot afford further disunity. Our ‘left-wing’ must stand together,” insisted the candidate.
“Only by forming alliances and agreements can we prevent the extreme right from gaining access to European decision-making bodies and safeguard social accomplishments, exploring new relationship mechanisms to continue solidifying improvements for a more equitable, greener, and sustainable Canary Islands,” emphasised Lopez.
The agreement between Sumar and NC-BC contains a specific addition in the coalition’s national electoral programme with Sumar, outlining the commitment to defending the rights and peculiarities of the Canary Islands in the European Union, demonstrating the Canarian influence of this platform in Brussels, with unique measures to protect the primary sector, combat climate change, amend the Migration and Asylum Pact considering the islands’ uniqueness, prohibit the speculative purchase of housing by non-resident foreigners, and advocate for the archipelago as a platform for peace and solidarity.
