Podemos
A clear guide to Podemos in Spain: its history, left-wing populism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Spain
- Founded
- 2014
- Position
- Left-wing to far-left
- Leader
- Ione Belarra
- Headquarters
- Madrid
Podemos ("We Can") is a left-wing populist party founded in 2014 out of Spain's anti-austerity protests. Once a contender to overtake the Socialists, it is now a small party with four deputies and sits outside the government, often criticising it from the left. It is led by Ione Belarra.
History
Political scientist Pablo Iglesias founded Podemos in January 2014. It won five seats in the European Parliament months later and over 20 percent of the vote in the 2015 general election. In alliance with United Left as Unidas Podemos, it entered Spain's first coalition government with the PSOE in 2020, with Iglesias as deputy prime minister.
Iglesias left politics in 2021. Podemos joined the Sumar alliance for the 2023 election but broke away weeks later, and has since run on its own, with Irene Montero as its lead European candidate in 2024.
Economic Policy
Podemos calls for higher taxes on the wealthy, public ownership in energy and housing, strict rent controls and the expansion of public services.
Foreign Policy
Podemos opposes increased military spending and arms deliveries to Ukraine, is critical of NATO and calls for sanctions on Israel. It is republican and wants a referendum on the monarchy.
Where They Stand
- Calls for strict rent controls and public housing
- Supports higher taxes on the wealthy
- Opposes increased military spending and NATO expansion
- Wants a referendum on the monarchy
- Calls for sanctions on Israel
Electoral Record
Podemos won 20.7 percent in 2015 and, as part of Unidas Podemos, 12.9 percent in November 2019. Running alone in the 2024 European election it won 3.3 percent and two seats.
Position on the Political Compass
Podemos sits on the left-leaning side on economics and is more libertarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Pablo Iglesias
Founder; Deputy Prime Minister, 2020 to 2021
A political scientist who founded the party and led it into government.
Irene Montero
Minister of Equality, 2020 to 2023
Led the party's feminist laws and heads its European list.
Ione Belarra
Secretary-General since 2021
A former social rights minister who leads the party.
Sources and Further Reading
- Podemos (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitepodemos.info
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Spain political test to see how your views compare with Podemos and the other parties.
Take the Spain Test
Social Policy
The party is strongly progressive and feminist. As equality minister, Irene Montero introduced the "only yes means yes" consent law and the 2023 transgender law.