Cayo Lara Moya
Cayo Lara Moya was born in Argamasilla de Alba on January 29, 1952. He is currently a member of the Spanish Congress within the Spanish United Left (IU) Party.
Political Career
In the wake of IU's poor results in the 2008 Spanish general election, the previous General Coordinator, Gaspar Llamazares, resigned. The IU, with its alliance with the Catalan Initiative for Catalonia Greens had lost three of their five seats in those elections. Subsequently, three factions emerged prior to the 9th Federal Assembly of IU. One around the leadership and the majority of the membership of the Communist Party of Spain, one formed by the membership closer to the positions of Gaspar Llamazares and a third one formed by the leaderships of Madrid, Aragon and Catalonia (with the Communist Party of Catalonia being prominent) was called the N-II (after the road that joins these territories). Lara Moya, a member of the first group, and considered a moderate communist by the press. He was chosen in October 2008 by the Federal Committee of PCE as the party's candidate to lead the list for the leadership election in the subsequent assembly along with several other internal allies. The 9th Assembly, held on 14 and 15 November 2008, ended with five lists contending: that of the PCE and its allies, led by Lara Moya; that of Llamazares' followers, that of the so-called N-II, one formed around discontented members of PCE's and Sabenés' groups, and one formed by an Andalusian minority and led by the Mayor of Marinaleda and Andalusian MP, Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo. The list led by Lara obtained 43% of the votes, the list led by Sabanés 27%, the list led by Nuet 19%, and the lists led by Miguela and Gordillo 6% and 5% respectively. The outcoming Federal Political Council of IU, unable to elect a candidate with an outright majority, chose Lara Moya as the chair of a committee meant to prepare the next meeting of the council. The Federal Political Council held on 14 December saw Lara achieve 65% support and he was thus appointed General Coordinator. Since then Lara has opted for vocal opposition to the measures taken by the Spanish Government to contrast the effects of the economic crisis.
Education
At the age of 13 Lare Moya abandoned his studies to help support his family, having several jobs, until returning from his military service where he established his own farm. By the late 1970’s he was one of the main leaders of the Farmers' Unions in his province and joined the Communist Party of Spain. With the restoration of democracy in Spain he was elected a member of the executive committee of the Coordination of Farmers Organisations (COAG).
