The article reflects on Pedro Sánchez's campaign slogan, 'Here is the left', which he used during the 2017 PSOE primaries to reclaim party leadership. This slogan has since adapted to reflect the PSOE's pushback against critics who viewed Sánchez’s opposition to collaborating with the Popular Party (PP) as a political misstep that hindered governance and led to electoral decline. Instead, Sánchez's discourse emphasizes that refusing any collaboration with the PP is inherently the only ideologically acceptable stance for the party, framing it as essential for competing with Podemos, which had garnered significant parliamentary gains.

The piece explains that from the outset of his leadership, Sánchez positioned the PSOE as the authentic representation of leftist ideology, dismissing the perspectives of those who disagreed with him as leaning towards the right. The idea is to solidify PSOE's identity amidst competition from emerging leftist forces like Podemos. This framing not only aids in consolidating party unity but also serves as a rhetoric tool to galvanize support among traditional left voters who may feel disillusioned.

Furthermore, the implications of Sánchez's strategy extend beyond internal party dynamics; they signal a broader ideological battle within Spanish politics. By casting his opposition to the PP as a defining feature of the left, Sánchez aims to not only reinforce the old guard of the PSOE but also to create a clear delineation of political camps, positioning the PSOE as the keepers of a more progressive vision for Spain.