podamos

Podemos (Spanish for "we can") is a left-wing political party in Spain. It was founded in January 2014 by Pablo Iglesias Turrión and a group of academics, activists, and social movement organizers, emerging from the anti-austerity protests known as the 15-M movement. The party aimed to challenge traditional parties by promoting participatory democracy, anti-corruption measures, social justice, and a more redistributive economy.

Podemos quickly built a national profile, winning seats in the Congress of Deputies in the 2015 general election and becoming a significant force on the political left. In 2016, it formed the Unidos Podemos electoral alliance with other left groups to pursue policy influence through coalition-style approaches. The party has participated in national governance as part of broader left-wing formations and supported the PSOE-led minority government after the 2019–2020 political realignments.

Organizationally, Podemos relies on a network of grassroots assemblies and online channels, emphasizing direct democracy and citizen participation alongside formal party structures. Its leadership has included figures such as Pablo Iglesias and, from 2021 onward, Ione Belarra, who was elected general secretary as part of the party’s ongoing evolution. In the European Parliament, Podemos has aligned with left-wing groups within the European political spectrum and participates in broader European left projects.

Electoral performance has varied, but Podemos has remained a persistent presence in Spanish politics, advocating for policies to reduce inequality, strengthen the welfare state, reform political institutions, and address corruption. The party continues to influence debates on governance and social policy within Spain and at the European level.