Spanish communist and staunch defender of the Cuban regime, Manuel "Manu" Pineda Marín, has lost his seat in the European Parliament following the elections held on Sunday, June 9. The poor performance of his political group among Spanish voters led to his defeat.
Pineda, who was part of the Sumar slate for the European elections, held the fourth position on the list. He narrowly missed securing a seat in the Parliament, where he had been using his position to defend the Cuban regime and obstruct debates and resolutions condemning the repression and lack of rights and freedoms on the island.
After the setback, the member of the Spanish coalition Izquierda Unida and the Spanish Communist Party (PCE) acknowledged that his political force had failed to gain the necessary support to elect him as an MEP. He called for "deep reflection" on the role of the political space led by Yolanda Díaz, according to El Diario.
Impact on Spanish Politics
Díaz, who is also the Vice President in Pedro Sánchez's government, accepted the poor outcome for her group and announced her resignation from the leadership of Sumar. However, she remains in her position in the coalition government that keeps Sánchez in power.
Pineda also suggested analyzing the rise of the far-right and the loss of electoral weight of Sumar, stating it is time for "humility and self-criticism."
"Today our political space is weaker and more fragmented, and the far-right is stronger and more emboldened," added the advocate of the Cuban dictatorship in Brussels and Strasbourg.
Despite well-wishes from Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to "brother Manu Pineda" days before the elections, they did little to sway Spanish voters. "His militant defense against the blockade on Cuba, his constant fight for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and other just causes in the world are admirable," expressed Díaz-Canel on X. This sentiment was not shared by the Spanish electorate.
The list of insults and grievances launched by Pineda against Cubans, especially against opposition figures and civil society activists, is extensive. A lover of trips to Cuba, Pineda has been received by every high-ranking official in the totalitarian regime, from Raúl Castro to the last in line and also the first secretary of the Communist Party.
The day following his defeat, Díaz-Canel sent another message to Manu Pineda to console him. "Dear Manu, you are one of those indispensable people Bertolt Brecht spoke of, those who fight all their lives, wherever they are. A big hug from Cuba."
Stripped of his representation in the European Parliament, Manu Pineda's vote will no longer serve the Cuban dictatorship, which loses one of its best "traveling companions," almost a comrade. This weakens the forces opposing the end of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, a demand by Cuban civil society and the majority of MEPs.
FAQs About Manu Pineda’s Election Loss
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Manu Pineda’s recent election defeat and its implications.
Why did Manu Pineda lose his seat in the European Parliament?
Manu Pineda lost his seat due to the poor electoral performance of his political group, Sumar, which failed to secure enough votes among Spanish voters.
What impact will this have on the Cuban regime?
The loss weakens the Cuban regime's influence in the European Parliament as they lose a staunch advocate in Manu Pineda.
What did Yolanda Díaz say about the election results?
Yolanda Díaz accepted the poor results for Sumar and announced her resignation from the leadership but will remain in her government position.