Podemos internal primary processes for municipal elections

The political party Podemos is conducting internal primary processes to select candidates for the 2027 municipal elections in various Spanish cities.

In Madrid, Pablo Fernández, the party’s Secretary of Organization and national spokesperson, has formally announced his intention to run for the Mayoralty. He will participate in internal primaries scheduled for October 5 to October 11, 2026, with results expected on October 13. Fernández’s campaign targets the administration of Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, criticizing high rents, saturated public transport, and insufficient social services. He has also criticized the influence of figures such as Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, aiming to present a “distinctly left-wing” candidacy. This move may lead to a fragmentation of the progressive vote in Madrid, as Podemos could compete separately from groups like Más Madrid, PSOE, and Izquierda Unida. Martínez-Almeida responded to the announcement with irony, while Fernández accused the mayor of classism.

In Zaragoza, the party is also holding primaries to determine its mayoral candidate for the May 2027 elections. The contest features Ricard Mitjana, the current coordinator of Podemos Aragón, against María Goikoetxea, who previously led the party’s regional candidacy for the Presidency of the Government of Aragon. Party members will decide which candidate will lead the municipal list.