The Sumar coalition, a junior partner in Spain's government, is set to participate in a significant demonstration opposing the increased defense spending scheduled for Saturday in Madrid. The announcement follows a press conference where Ernest Urtasun, the Minister of Culture and spokesperson for Sumar, endorsed societal mobilization against heightened military expenditures. Members of the Movimiento Sumar, founded by Vice President Yolanda Díaz for upcoming general elections, alongside Izquierda Unida, are committed to joining the march. Podemos, another political entity, will also be present, having already participated in a similar rally in Seville last Saturday.

Sources from Izquierda Unida revealed that a substantial portion of their leadership, led by federal coordinator Antonio Maíllo, will attend the protest on the 7th. Previously, in March, Maíllo declared that their party, a government participant within Sumar, would initiate a campaign advocating peace through mobilizations. He firmly rejected warfare as a conflict resolution method during a press briefing.

Pablo Fernández, spokesperson for Podemos, persistently encourages citizens each Monday in weekly press briefings to escalate national protests against rearmament. He urges defiance against the government's defense policies, criticizing the executive's plan to boost military spending to 2% of the GDP. Podemos has repeatedly expressed disapproval of Izquierda Unida's anti-war stance, despite their involvement in the government. Ione Belarra, Podemos' secretary-general, affirmed on May 14th in Congress that her party stands in opposition to any pro-war government.

Under the banner "Against Rearmament and Militarization," the anti-war collectives organizing the demonstration criticize the "militarization of society," demanding that military funds be reallocated to social purposes. They denounce the "war-mongering spiral promoted by institutions," arguing that militarism justifies erosion of freedoms, authoritarianism, and increased repression. Specifically, they oppose the government's security plan, which involves nearly €10.5 billion in additional spending, and the European rearmament initiative mobilizing €800 billion from Brussels. The march is set to commence at noon from Atocha station, culminating at Puerta del Sol.