podemos

Podemos, meaning "We can" in Spanish, is a left-wing political party in Spain founded in 2014 by a group of academics and activists including Pablo Iglesias Turrión and Íñigo Errejón. It emerged from the 15-M Indignados movement and quickly positioned itself as an anti-austerity, anti-corruption alternative to established parties, advocating participatory democracy and new forms of citizen involvement in policy-making.

Ideology and policy orientation center on democratic socialism and left-wing populism. Podemos promotes extensive public investment in social services, progressive taxation, and measures to combat corruption, while calling for constitutional and institutional reforms to increase citizen participation and transparency. The party emphasizes gender equality, workers’ rights, affordable housing, climate and environmental policies, and a strengthening of public healthcare and education. It has sought to combine grassroots activism with parliamentary politics, using online platforms and assemblies to gather proposals and feedback, though its practical governance has faced criticism over centralization and decision-making processes.

Organization and electoral trajectory: Podemos established a national platform and later allied with other left groups in Unidas Podemos for national elections. The party gained rapid parliamentary representation after the 2015 general election and maintained influence in subsequent elections. In 2020, Podemos entered government in a coalition with the PSOE, with its members holding senior ministerial positions and contributing to policy in areas such as social welfare and equality.

Leadership and status: Pablo Iglesias served as secretary-general from its founding until 2021, when he stepped down and was succeeded by Ione Belarra. Irene Montero has served as Minister of Equality and remains a prominent figure. The party has experienced internal debates and factional tensions, alongside ongoing participation in national and regional governance as part of the broader left in Spain.

Note: The term "podemos" also functions as the Spanish verb meaning "we can," but this article focuses on the political party.