Irene Montero announces candidacy for Spanish general elections

Irene Montero, a Member of the European Parliament and former Minister of Equality, has officially announced her intention to lead an alternative left-wing candidacy for Spain’s upcoming general elections. During a Podemos event in Madrid titled ‘Peace, Home, Work,’ Montero committed to undergoing open primaries to select her leadership and team. These primaries are designed to be inclusive, allowing any interested citizen, regardless of party affiliation, to participate or run for office.

Montero’s platform focuses on several key social and economic pillars, including regulating housing prices to combat speculation, increasing the minimum wage to 1,800 euros, and reducing the work week to 35 hours. She also emphasized peace, climate action, and lowering the cost of living as central priorities. Her candidacy aims to establish a strong leftist force that is not subordinate to the PSOE.

The announcement places strategic pressure on other leftist groups, particularly the Sumar coalition, which has yet to present a candidate. While Podemos has previously explored potential alliances with figures like Gabriel Rufián of ERC, it currently maintains a veto on the Sumar movement. Meanwhile, Izquierda Unida has expressed openness to a broad leftist coalition without setting strict boundaries for potential partners.