Yolanda Díaz presents the logo and a first video of ‘Sumar’, where she emphasizes that she will listen to decide if she is a candidate

Díaz has made the announcement through social networks, where he has presented a first video of the platform in which he underlines his intention to “listen” before deciding if he is a candidate. That word, “listen”, is the one that is repeated the most during the recording, in which other ‘sums’ can also be read, such as “modernize” plus “care”, “protection” plus “progress”, “freedom” plus “equality”, “union” plus “illusion” or “solidarity” plus “rights”. The result of all those operations is the same: ‘Add’, the name of the platform.

In the recording, the second vice president is seen with different anonymous citizens and concludes by announcing that the first act of the listening platform will be on July 8 at the Matadero in Madrid.

“Today is an exciting day: Sumar begins its journey. Next Friday, July 8, we will open the listening process at the Matadero de Madrid. I’m waiting for all of you!”, Díaz has written on his Twitter profile, mentioning the new profile opened by his platform.

The vice president has been taking the first steps towards this possible state candidacy and announced ‘Sumar’ in the pre-campaign for the Andalusian elections on June 19. She also assured there, in Andalusia, that she was willing to “take a step to win Spain”. Her team insists, however, that this does not mean that she has already made the decision to present herself as a candidate for the Presidency of the Government, but simply reflects her “illusion” of her for the listening process.

The listening process will begin on July 8 in Madrid and aims to relegate political forces to the background to give “full prominence” to citizens and social movements.

“Strengthen citizen participation”

In May, the vice president’s team registered the statutes of ‘Sumar’ -constituted as an association-, which set out the goals and activities of the platform that will seek a “new democratic contract” with the citizenry and that intends to “think of common that project of country that renews the hope” of the Spaniards. Her team insists that ‘Add’ is not the definitive electoral brand. And in that the hypothetical candidacy of Díaz would come out of the process that is now opening and will be a consequence of it.

The document that appears in Interior establishes that the association has among its purposes “to promote democratic commitment and the participation of citizens in public life”, as well as “to encourage and strengthen citizen and civil society participation to improve the quality of democracy and human development”. In addition to “contributing to the development of critical thinking”, ‘Sumar’ aims to “encourage study, research, reflection and debate on the main social, economic and political problems”.

One of the main objectives of the association is also “to seek the link with social movements, citizens and other entities of civil society”. Likewise, it tries to “contribute to the consolidation of networks for the exchange of experiences and knowledge in the field of democratic participation”.

To fulfill all these purposes, the association of Yolanda Díaz, as stated in the statutes, will organize “meetings, meetings, colloquiums, congresses and any other type of public events”, in addition to promoting “spaces for debate, collaboration or cooperation” with the citizenship. Nor is it ruled out that ‘Sumar’ prepares and publishes “studies, investigations, diagnoses and dissemination materials”, or “promotes awareness campaigns related to the purposes of the association”.