:Podemos (Spanish political party)

{{update|section|date=October 2021}}

File:Pablo Iglesias Ahora Madrid 2015 - 05 (cropped).jpg, former leader and founder of Podemos, pictured in May 2015]]

Podemos emerged from the Indignados movement against inequality and corruption in 2011.{{cite news|title=Pablo Iglesias Elected to Head Spain's Leftist Podemos Party|url=https://news.yahoo.com/pablo-iglesias-elected-head-spains-leftist-podemos-party-190845050.html|access-date=18 December 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=15 November 2014|quote=... Podemos, a fast-growing Spanish far-left party set up in January ...}} The group was inspired by the populist leaders of Latin America's Pink tide, which included Venezuela's Hugo Chávez and Bolivia's Evo Morales.{{Cite book|title=What Is Populism?|last=Muller|first=Jan-Werner|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|year=2016|isbn=9780812293784|pages=8–9|quote=Both—especially Podemos—make a point of feeling inspired by what is commonly referred to as the "pink tide" in Latin America: the success of populist leaders such as Rafael Correa, Evo Morales, and, above all, Hugo Chávez.}}

In January 2014, it released the manifesto Mover ficha: convertir la indignación en cambio político ("Move A Piece: Turn Indignation Into Political Change"),{{citation|url=http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pablo-Iglesias-Juan-Carlos-Monedero-candidato-europeas-podemos_0_216278861.html|title=Pablo Iglesias prepara su candidatura a las europeas: "Me han pedido que dé el paso" |first1=José Luis |last1=Sánchez|first2=Andrés|last2=Gil|work=eldiario.es|date=14 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}} which was signed by thirty intellectuals and personalities, including Juan Carlos Monedero, Alberto San Juan, associate professor of political science at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) Jaime Pastor, the writer and philosopher Santiago Alba Rico, the former leader of the Left Trade Union Current Cándido González Carnero and Bibiana Medialdea, associate professor of applied economy at the UCM.{{citation |url=http://www.publico.es/politica/495015/intelectuales-y-activistas-llaman-a-recuperar-la-soberania-popular-con-una-candidatura-para-las-europeas |work=publico.es|title=Intelectuales y activistas llaman a "recuperar la soberanía popular" con una candidatura para las europeas|author=Redacción|date=14 January 2014|access-date= 24 May 2014}}

Podemos' manifesto stated that it was necessary to create a party list for the 2014 European Parliament election, with the goal of opposing the dominant policies of the European Union from the left. On 14 January, Pablo Iglesias Turrión, a professor of political science at the UCM and a TV presenter, was announced as the head of the movement. The movement was organised by the party Anti-Capitalist Left (Izquierda Anticapitalista), the Spanish section of the Trotskyist Fourth International,{{citation |url=http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?site11 |work=International Viewpoint |title=Spanish state – Anticapitalist Left | date=17 December 2014|access-date=17 December 2014}} which had written the Mover ficha manifesto.{{citation|url=http://www.eldiario.es/politica/nacimiento-Podemos-candidatura-Pablo-Iglesias_0_220478302.html|title=Un boletín interno de Izquierda Anticapitalista preparó el terreno a Podemos|first=Andrés |last=Gil|work=eldiario.es|date=21 January 2014|access-date= 24 May 2014}} One of the points highlighted by Iglesias was the derogation of the 135th article of the Constitution, which was made in 2011 by the major parties People's Party (PP) and Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE); full application of the 128th article of the constitution ("All wealth of the country in all its forms and no matter who owns it, is subordinated to the people's interest"); and maintaining abortion rights.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cuatro.com/las-mananas-de-cuatro/Pablo-Iglesias-intencion-presentarse-elecciones_2_1732530095.html|title=Pablo Iglesias anuncia su intención de presentarse a la elecciones europeas |editor=cuatro.es|date=14 January 2014|access-date=24 May 2014}} They also demanded Spain's exit from NATO and supported self-determination rights for autonomous communities.

The Podemos movement was officially launched on 16 January 2014 in the Teatro del Barrio in the Lavapiés neighbourhood of Madrid, with a press conference attended by hundreds of people. The speakers at the launch included Pablo Iglesias, Juan Carlos Monedero, Teresa Rodríguez,{{citation |url=http://www.lamarea.com/2014/01/28/teresa-rodriguez/ |date=28 January 2014 |work=La Marea|title=Teresa Rodríguez: "Siempre animo a la gente de IU a luchar a este lado de la barricada" |first=Fernando |last=Muriel |access-date=24 May 2014}} psychiatrist and member of the Marea Blanca Ana Castaño, Íñigo Errejón and Miguel Urbán. The party's fundamental goal was to oppose the austerity policies of the government.

In order to run in the European elections of 2014, the members of the bare bones of Podemos set themselves three conditions: to receive the support of at least 50,000 people; that both the programme and the lists of candidates be prepared through open participation; and that unity be sought with other parties and movements of the left,{{citation |url= http://www.publico.es/politica/495962/pablo-iglesias-presenta-podemos-como-un-metodo-participativo-abierto-a-toda-la-ciudadania |title=Pablo Iglesias presenta Podemos como "un método participativo abierto a toda la ciudadanía" |first=Luis |last=Giménez San Miguel|work=publico.es|date=17 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}} such as United Left, the Popular Unity Candidacy, the X Party, the Andalusian Workers' Union, Anova and the citizens' mareas ("tides").{{citation |url=http://www.estrelladigital.es/articulo/espanha/persigue-candidatura-pablo-iglesias/20140117142444007982.html |title=Las diez claves de la candidatura de Pablo Iglesias |first=Cristina |last=Alcalá |work=Estrella Digital| date=17 February 2014 |access-date= 24 May 2014}} The 50,000 signatures were obtained in less than 24 hours{{citation |url=http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/pablo-iglesias-consigue-dia-apoyos-necesarios-candidatura-3025169 |title=Pablo Iglesias consigue en un día los 50.000 apoyos que pedía para seguir adelante con Podemos |author=Redacción |work=El Periódico |date=19 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2014}} and the Podemos website crashed due to the high traffic.

In August 2015, Podemos endorsed Jeremy Corbyn's campaign in the Labour Party leadership election. The party's international secretariat released a statement that "In Podemos we share Jeremy Corbyn's view that another Europe is not just possible but necessary". It added: "Against the irresponsibility of the troika and the Eurogroup, against the Europe of financial lobbies and puppet representatives, a new democratic and social Europe is emerging, and Jeremy Corbyn's victory would be a great step in that direction".{{cite news|last=Kassam|first=Ashifa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/06/jeremy-corbyn-prime-minister-labour-leadership|title=Podemos leader backs Jeremy Corbyn campaign for Labour leadership|work=The Guardian|date=25 August 2015|access-date=15 July 2017}}

In the 2014 European Parliament election in Spain on 25 May,{{Cite web |url=http://cep.rhul.ac.uk/cep-blog/2014/5/29/why-grillo-may-not-need-farage-to-form-a-parliamentary-group.html |title=Centre for European Politics - CEP Blog - Why Grillo may not need Farage to form a parliamentary group in Europe |access-date=2 June 2014 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403123119/http://cep.rhul.ac.uk/cep-blog/2014/5/29/why-grillo-may-not-need-farage-to-form-a-parliamentary-group.html |url-status=dead}} Podemos received 7.98% of the national vote, with 1,200,000 votes cast, electing five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).{{cite book|author=Manuel Castells|title=Networks of Outrage and Hope: Social Movements in the Internet Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MzDOCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA299|date=4 June 2015|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-0-7456-9577-8|page=299}} Iglesias chose Dina Bousselham to lead his cabinet of advisors as an MEP.{{cite news |language=es |url=https://www.elespanol.com/espana/politica/20190328/podemos-esconde-telegram-azotes-iglesias-traiciones-errejon/386462598_0.html |title=La "basura" de Podemos se esconde en Telegram: de los "azotes" de Iglesias a las "traiciones" de Errejón |work=El Español |first=Alberto D. |last=Prieto |date=28 March 2019 |access-date=3 June 2020}}

El País described Pablo Iglesias Turrión as pessimistic about the outcome of the election: "We have lost these European elections. They have been won by the People's Party. We cannot be happy about this". He stated that his objective is to "move forward until we throw the PP and the PSOE out of power"{{cite news|last=Gómez|first=Luis|title=The untamed ambition of Podemos, the surprise victor in Sunday's poll|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/05/26/inenglish/1401117195_606542.html|access-date=31 May 2014|newspaper=El País in English|date=26 May 2014}} and that "[w]e will now work with other parties from the south of Europe to make it clear that we don't want to be a German colony". Iglesias said Podemos MEPs would not take the standard MEP salary of more than €8,000 a month, stating that "not one of our MEPs will earn more than €1,930, an amount that's three times the minimum wage in Spain".{{cite news|last=Kassam|first=Ashifa|title=Podemos hopes to cement rise of citizen politics in Spain after election success|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/27/podemos-citizen-politics-spain-elections-indignados-movement|access-date=31 May 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=27 May 2014}}

On 5 June 2014, Pablo Iglesias Turrión announced that the Asamblea Ciudadana "Sí se puede" (Citizens' Assembly "Yes, It Can Be Done") would take place in the autumn. Iglesias also announced that a team of twenty-five people would be responsible for preparing the assembly, to be chosen in open elections in which anybody could participate, with closed lists, with no limit to the number of lists which could be presented. The vote took place over the Internet on 12 and 13 June.{{Cite news|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/06/05/actualidad/1401956617_317666.html |title=Podemos elige este mes un equipo para pilotar la asamblea fundacional de otoño |first=José |last=Precedo |newspaper=El País |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=12 June 2014}} Two lists were presented, one headed by Iglesias{{Cite news|url=http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-podemos-elige-manana-equipo-organizara-asamblea-otono-menos-dos-listas-cerradas-20140611190950.html |title=Podemos elige al equipo que organizará su asamblea de otoño entre al menos dos listas cerradas |author=Europa Press |date=11 June 2014 |access-date=12 June 2014}} and the other promoted by the Círculo de Enfermería ("Nurses' circle").{{cite news|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/06/12/actualidad/1402562876_363479.html |title=El círculo de enfermeras de Podemos presenta una lista alternativa |date=12 June 2014 |newspaper=El País |access-date=16 June 2014}} The technical details of the election and the deadlines generated discussion within Podemos. In a meeting of Podemos circles which took place on 8 June in Madrid, there was criticism for both the closed lists and the short deadlines, which allegedly led to fewer lists being presented.{{Cite news|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/06/09/actualidad/1402295920_514605.html |title=Las bases de Podemos se enfrentan a sus fundadores para exigir democracia interna |first=José |last=Precedo |newspaper=El País |date=9 June 2014 |access-date=12 June 2014}} The electoral process in which 55,000 people participated gave the victory to Iglesias' list, with 86.8% of the vote.{{Cite news |url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/06/14/actualidad/1402771707_567744.html|title=Pablo Iglesias obtiene el 86% de los votos para liderar Podemos |first=José|last=Precedo|newspaper=El País|date=14 June 2014|access-date=16 June 2014}}

A major part of the citizens' assembly involved the writing of documents defining the political and organisational principles of the party as well as resolutions the party would adopt. Any member of Podemos could present a document and these would be adopted or rejected in a vote with all members of Podemos participating. These documents would determine the structure of the party. Internal elections would then take place, again with the participation of all members of Podemos, to fill the positions defined by this structure.{{Cite news |url=http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Podemos-pistoletazo-salida-Asamblea-fundacional_0_303419925.html|title= Podemos da el pistoletazo de salida a su maratón de decisiones|first=Mario|last=Pais Beiro |newspaper=eldiario.es|date=15 September 2014}}

The citizens' assembly held a meeting in Madrid on 18 and 19 October. On 19 October, Podemos membership was 130,000{{cite news |last=García |first=Fernando |date=19 October 2014 |title="No hemos venido para echarnos a un lado", replica una eurodiputada a Pablo Iglesias |url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20141019/54417283593/no-hemos-venido-para-echarnos-a-un-lado-replica-una-eurodiputada-a-pablo-iglesias.html |newspaper=La Vanguardia}} and on 22 October it was 170,000.{{cite news |date=22 October 2014 |title=Malestar entre las bases críticas de Podemos por los "cambios en las reglas del juego" |url=http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2014-10-22/malestar-entre-las-bases-criticas-de-podemos-por-los-cambios-en-las-reglas-del-juego_400411/ |newspaper=El Confidencial}}

The citizens' assembly adopted five resolutions, all of which were submitted by circles, based on the votes of Podemos members, each of whom could vote for five resolutions. The approved resolutions were on improving public education (45%), on anti-corruption measures (42%), on the right to housing (38%), on improving public healthcare (31%) and on auditing and re-structuring the debt (23%).{{cite news|url=http://www.publico.es/politica/551227/objetivos-de-podemos-reestructuracion-de-la-deuda-y-paralizacion-de-los-desahucios|title=Objetivos de Podemos: reestructuración de la deuda y paralización de los desahucios|newspaper=Público|date=19 October 2014}}

File:Madrid - Podemos - La marcha del cambio - 31012015 120055.jpg

The ethical, political and structure documents proposed by the "Claro que Podemos", which included Luis Alegre, Carolina Bescansa, Íñigo Errejón, Pablo Iglesias and Juan Carlos Monedero were approved by 80.7% of the vote, surpassing "Sumando Podemos" 12.3% of the vote, promoted by the MEPs Pablo Echenique, Teresa Rodríguez and Lola Sánchez in the vote for the structure document.{{Cite news|title=Podemos confía en Pablo Iglesias: su modelo obtiene el 80,7% de los votos|newspaper=Eldiario.es|url=http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pablo-Iglesias-votacion-partido-Podemos_0_318118325.html|first=Aitor|last=Riveiro|date=27 October 2014}}{{cite news|title=Podemos confía todo el poder a la estrategia política de Pablo Iglesias|newspaper=El País|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/10/27/actualidad/1414407684_623957.html|first=Francesco|last=Manetto|date=27 October 2014}}

In October 2014, Podemos decided not to stand candidates in the 2015 Spanish local elections.{{cite web|last1=Del Vecchio|first1=Paola|title=Podemos party revolutionizes Spanish politics|url=http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2014/11/03/podemos-party-revolutionizes-spanish-politics_47b4598e-a6b4-4748-b3c5-d9aec49ae7a9.html|website=ansamed.info|date=3 November 2014|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225140249/http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2014/11/03/podemos-party-revolutionizes-spanish-politics_47b4598e-a6b4-4748-b3c5-d9aec49ae7a9.html|url-status=dead}} Instead, it decided that its members would support local grassroots candidacies, where the so-called "mayors of change" were successfully elected: anti-evictions activist Ada Colau in Barcelona with Barcelona en Comú, former member of the General Council of the Judiciary Manuela Carmena in Madrid with Ahora Madrid, judge Xulio Ferreiro in A Coruña, doctor Martiño Noriega in Santiago, trade unionist Jorge Suárez in Ferrol, lawyer and activist Pedro Santisteve in Zaragoza with Zaragoza en Común and teacher José María González "Kichi" in Cádiz with Adelante Cádiz.{{Cite web |last=Diego |first=Sara de |date=2015-09-03 |title=Los 'alcaldes del cambio' se unen a Ada Colau ampliando la red de ciudades-refugio |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/cataluna/elecciones-catalanas/2015-09-03/alcaldes-del-cambio-se-unen-para-presionar-a-rajoy-ampliando-la-red-de-ciudades-refugio_999641/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Civieta |first=Fátima Caballero, Pau Rodríguez, David Lombao, Óscar F. |date=2019-06-22 |title=El legado de las 'alcaldías del cambio' peligra con los nuevos gobiernos |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/politicas-peligro-ayuntamientos-cambio_1_1507362.html |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=elDiario.es |language=es}}

In the lead up to the 2015 general election, Podemos adopted a pledge that, if the party won the election, it would hold a nationwide referendum on whether Spain should retain the Spanish monarchy or become a republic.{{cite news |last= Phillips |first= Catherine |date= 22 December 2014 |title= Podemos to Offer Referendum on Spanish Monarchy |url= https://www.newsweek.com/podemos-offer-referendum-spanish-monarchy-293735 |work= Newsweek |access-date= 11 November 2019}} The party also promised to increase public spending and ban job cuts in profitable firms.

At the 2015 general election on 20 December 2015, Podemos received 21% of the vote and became the third largest party in the parliament, with 69 out of 350 seats,{{cite news|last1=Kassam|first1=Ashifa|title=Spanish election: national newcomers end era of two-party dominance|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/20/peoples-party-wins-spanish-election-absolute-majority|access-date=21 December 2015|work=The Guardian|date=21 December 2015}}[http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/spanien-die-ersten-hochrechnungen-zur-parlamentswahl-a-1068834.html Entscheidung in Spanien: Konservative sind Wahlsieger, verlieren aber Mehrheit]. Spiegel Online, 20 December 2015 {{in lang |de}} the strongest performance for a third party in Spain since the Transition - with the previous one being 23 seats for the PCE in the 1979 elections. The party was the most voted force in the provinces of Barcelona, Tarragona, Gipuzkoa and Alava, and surpassed the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party also in Madrid, A Coruña, Pontevedra, Navarre, Castellón, Valencia, Alicante, Las Palmas and Balearic Islands.

{{further|Unidos Podemos}}

Following the failure of the 2015–2016 Spanish government formation negotiations to create a stable coalition government, on 2 May 2016 a second general election was called for June 2016.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/26/spain-faces-new-elections-june-parties-fail-to-form-government "Spain faces new elections in June after parties fail to form a government"].[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36193789 "Spain's King Felipe calls new election amid political deadlock"]. To contest the election, Podemos formed an electoral alliance with United Left, Equo and regional left-wing parties, the official name being announced on 13 May 2016 as Unidos Podemos ("United We Can"). The coalition received 21.2% of the vote.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Podemos formed the Adelante Andalucía coalition with the left, the Greens and Primavera Andaluza to contest the 2018 Andalusian regional election.{{cite news |date=2 June 2018 |url=https://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/Izquierda-Andalucista-negociacion-Podemos-IULV-CA_0_777972556.html |title=Izquierda Andalucista acuerda iniciar una negociación con Podemos e IULV-CA para unirse a su confluencia electoral |newspaper=Eldiario.es |language=es |access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite news |date=29 June 2018 |url=https://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/Adelante-Andalucia_0_787421582.html |title=Podemos e IU presentan Adelante Andalucía como "alternativa al susanismo sin pasar por la derecha" |newspaper=Eldiario.es |language=es |access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite news |date=2 July 2018 |url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/3384446/0/podemos-iu-primavera-andaluza-izquierda-andalucista-abogan-por-bloque-cambio-adelante-andalucia/ |title=Podemos, IU, Primavera Andaluza e Izquierda Andalucista abogan por el "bloque de cambio" de Adelante Andalucía |newspaper=20minutos |language=es |access-date=3 July 2018}}{{cite news |date=1 July 2018 |url=https://www.diariodesevilla.es/andalucia/mecanismo-cambioCadiz-ejemplo-Jerez-posible_0_1259574370.html |title=Rodríguez y Maíllo dan a conocer las claves del proceso de confluencia 'Adelante Andalucía' |newspaper=Diario de Sevilla |language=es |access-date=3 July 2018 |first=A. |last=Villegas |publisher=Joly Digital |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917194645/https://www.diariodesevilla.es/andalucia/mecanismo-cambioCadiz-ejemplo-Jerez-posible_0_1259574370.html |url-status=dead }}

In April 2023, Podemos declined to join left-wing alliance with new party Sumar because of differences over how candidates are selected.{{Cite news |last=Burgen |first=Stephen |date=2023-04-03 |title=Spanish minister Yolanda Díaz launches leftwing political party |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/03/spain-leftwing-political-party-sumar-major-shake-up-yolanda-diaz |access-date=2023-04-10 |issn=0261-3077}} It was intended that these differences be resolved and negotiated on before Podemos would join the new alliance of left-wing parties for the upcoming general election scheduled for December 2023. Poor results for the ruling PSOE, Podemos and other left-wing parties in the Spanish local and regional elections held on 28 May 2023 led to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling for a snap general election, five months earlier than originally planned.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-29 |title=Spanish PM Sánchez calls snap general election after disastrous local polls |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/spanish-pm-sanchez-calls-snap-general-election-after-disastrous-results-in-local-elections/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} This resulted in a speeding up of the negotiation process with Sumar. On 9 June, Podemos came to an agreement to run together with Sumar at the upcoming general elections just hours before the deadline for the registration of coalitions with electoral authority.{{Cite news |date=2023-06-09 |title=Spain's leftist Podemos says to sign deal with Diaz's Sumar in elections |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-far-left-podemos-joins-labour-minister-diazs-sumar-alliance-2023-06-09/ |access-date=2023-06-12}} Podemos immediately came into conflict with Sumar and its leader Yolanda Díaz over the inclusion of Podemos candidates on the electoral lists. The main point of conflict was the supposed veto of Díaz over the prominent Podemos politician and Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, wife of Podemos founder and former leader, Pablo Iglesias.{{Cite web |last=Carreño |first=Ángel |date=2023-06-12 |title=Podemos pide que se levante "el veto" a Montero, pero Yolanda Díaz da por zanjado el asunto |url=https://www.elindependiente.com/espana/2023/06/12/podemos-pide-que-se-levante-el-veto-a-montero-pero-yolanda-diaz-da-por-zanjado-el-asunto/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=El Independiente |language=es}} Montero was not to be included on the Sumar list for the Madrid constituency. This move was widely condemned by the leadership and supporters of Podemos, with former leader Iglesias calling it "a political mistake"' and asking Díaz to rectify it; he stated that he found it hard in the situation to separate "the personal from the political".{{Cite web |last=EP |date=2023-06-12 |title=Iglesias pide a Díaz rectificar al considerar que el veto a Montero tendrá costes el 23J |url=https://www.epe.es/es/elecciones/20230612/iglesias-pide-diaz-rectificar-considerar-veto-montero-costes-23j-88595619 |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=elperiodicodeespana |language=es}} In addition, Podemos spokesperson in the Congress, Pablo Echenique, was also excluded from the lists.{{Cite web |last=Debate |first=El |date=2023-06-11 |title=Irene Montero, a Echenique: "Jefe, te quiero mucho" |url=https://www.eldebate.com/espana/20230611/irene-montero-echenique-jefe-te-quiero-mucho_120924.html |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=El Debate |language=es}} Ione Belara, the General Secretary of Podemos, was placed fifth on the list for Madrid.{{Cite web |last=Chouza |first=Eliona Rakipaj, María Fabra, Paula |date=2023-06-09 |title=Errejón, cuarto por Madrid, y Belarra, quinta: así quedan los puestos en las listas de Sumar tras los acuerdos con los partidos |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2023-06-09/el-reparto-de-las-listas-en-sumar-otorga-el-liderazgo-de-mas-madrid-compromis-y-los-comunes-en-sus-respectivos-territorios.html |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=El País |language=es}} In the election, Podemos won five seats in the Congress of Deputies, out of 31 for Sumar in total.

On 5 December 2023, Podemos announced that they had broken with Sumar, and its five MPs moved from the Sumar group to the mixed group in Congress.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-05 |title=Podemos rompe con Sumar y pasa al grupo mixto |url=https://electomania.es/podemos-rompe-con-sumar-y-pasa-al-grupo-mixto/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Electomanía |language=es}}

{{update|section|date=October 2021}}

A party on the left-wing{{cite book |last1=Ross |first1=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2p_7CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 |title=Contemporary Spain |last2=Richardson |first2=Bill |last3=Sangrador-Vegas |first3=Begoña |date=2016-04-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-75164-9}} or the far-left{{Cite web |date=2019-11-12 |title=Spain's Socialists, far-left Podemos agree to form govt |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191112-spain-s-socialists-far-left-podemos-agree-to-form-govt |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=France 24 |language=en}} of the political spectrum, Podemos has been described as a left-wing populist party which holds anti-austerity,{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-27/spanish-socialists-see-door-closed-on-coalition-with-podemos|title=Spanish Socialists See Door Closed on Coalition With Podemos|quote=Because the attempt to forge an alliance with anti-austerity party Podemos has failed, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will have to explore 'other possibilities,' the Socialist Party President Cristina Narbona told reporters in Madrid Saturday.|work=Bloomberg|date=27 July 2019}}{{cite news |last=Minder |first=Raphael |date=2017-02-12 |title=Head of Spain's Far-Left Party Survives Leadership Challenge |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/12/world/europe/spain-pablo-iglesias-podemos-party.html |access-date=2021-07-05 |issn=0362-4331}} anti-corruption, and anti-establishment views.{{cite book|author1=Michelle Cini|author2=Nieves Perez-Solorzano Borragan|title=European Union Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qTM0CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA414|year=2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-870893-3|page=414}}{{cite book|author=Catherine E. De Vries|title=Euroscepticism and the Future of European Integration|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MkBFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA39|year=2018|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-879338-0|page=39}} It promotes direct democracy, federalism,{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/07/13/opinion/1436802970_502236.html|title=Tribuna | El federalismo de Podemos|first1=Carlos Jiménez|last1=Villarejo|first2=Francesc Trillas|last2=Jané|newspaper=El País|date=11 August 2015|via=elpais.com}} patriotism,{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/politica/2015/06/24/actualidad/1435174006_888158.html|title=¿Qué es ser patriota para Podemos?|first=Francesco|last=Manetto|newspaper=El País|date=24 June 2015|via=elpais.com}} republicanism,{{Cite web|url=https://www.elplural.com/politica/podemos-esgrimira-un-simbolo-republicano-ante-el-rey-en-los-actos-de-la-constitucion_207596102|title=Podemos esgrimirá un "símbolo republicano" ante el Rey en los actos de la Constitución|website=El Plural|date=5 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://elpais.com/espana/2020-09-19/iglesias-podemos-tiene-que-trabajar-y-construir-alianzas-para-avanzar-hacia-un-horizonte-republicano.html|title=Iglesias: "Podemos tiene que trabajar y construir alianzas para avanzar hacia un horizonte republicano"|first=Inés|last=Santaeulalia|date=19 September 2020|website=El País}} and an alternative social democracy{{cite news|author=Francesco Manetto|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/11/30/actualidad/1417373210_752548.html|title=Podemos: el rápido viaje ideológico hasta la socialdemocracia|newspaper=El País|date=30 November 2014}}{{cite news|author=Antón Baamonde|url=http://www.eldiario.es/zonacritica/alternativa-socialdemocrata-Podemos_6_322377770.html|title=La alternativa socialdemócrata es Podemos|newspaper=eldiario.es|date=9 November 2014}} to that of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) through populist rhetoric.{{cite book|author1=John Abromeit|author2=Bridget Maria Chesterton|author3=Gary Marotta|author4=York Norman|chapter=Introduction|editor1=John Abromeit|editor2=York Norman|editor3=Gary Marotta|editor4=Bridget Maria Chesterton|title=Transformations of Populism in Europe and the Americas: History and Recent Tendencies|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBXfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PR19|year=2015|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4742-2522-9|page=19}}{{cite book|author=Federico Finchelstein|author-link=Federico Finchelstein|title=From Fascism to Populism in History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jkwsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA135|year=2017|publisher=Univ of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-29519-3|page=135}}{{cite book|author=Natalie Fenton|chapter=Politics in common in the digital age|editor1=Ash Amin|editor2=Philip Howell|title=Releasing the Commons: Rethinking the futures of the commons|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hyURDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT72|year=2016|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-37536-4|page=72}}

Podemos presented a collaboratively written programme for the 2014 European Parliament election in Spain. Some of the most important policies were emphasis on public control, poverty reduction, and social dignity via a basic income for every adult, including lobbying controls and punitive measures against tax avoidance by large corporations and multinational organizations, as well as promotion of smaller enterprises. It also included revoking or curtailing the Treaty of Lisbon, abandoning the memorandum of understanding, withdrawing from some free trade agreements, and promoting referendums on any major constitutional reform. On environmentalism, it advocated reduction of fossil fuel consumption, promotion of public transport and renewable energy initiatives, reduction of industrial cash crop agriculture, and stimulating local food production by small and medium enterprises.{{cite web|date=27 May 2014|url=http://podemos.info/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Programa-Podemos.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527140956/http://podemos.info/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Programa-Podemos.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2014 |title=Documento final del programa colaborativo |url-status=dead |trans-title=Final Document of the Collaborative Programme |website=Podemos|language=es |access-date=9 December 2021}}

Podemos is opposed to the current parliamentary monarchy and wants to offer a referendum on its continuity, instead advocating for a federal, "plurinational" new republic. Furthermore, the party is supportive of direct democracy.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The party and its former leader (Pablo Iglesias Turrión) support the right to self-determination of autonomous communities like Catalonia and the Basque Country.{{cite web|date=2015-12-16|title=En Marea reclama el "derecho a decidir" para Galicia ante Pablo Iglesias|url=https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-marea-reclama-derecho-decidir-para-galicia-ante-pablo-iglesias-201512161344_noticia.html|access-date=2021-07-05|website=abc|language=es}} The party has called for the release of jailed Catalan separatist leaders on trial in Spain's Supreme Court.{{cite web|date=2019-04-26|title=General Election focus: the Podemos party|url=https://www.spainenglish.com/2019/04/26/general-election-focus-podemos/|access-date=2021-07-05|website=Spain in English|language=en-GB}}

Podemos supported the exhumation of Francisco Franco.{{Cite news |date=2018-09-13 |title=Sánchez: "España da un paso histórico. Hoy nuestra democracia es mejor" |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2018/09/13/actualidad/1536818667_370836.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |issn=1134-6582}}

Podemos has been described as a progressive party.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-01 |title=Podemos reivindica en Granada un Gobierno progresista para acabar con "la precariedad y el desmantelamiento de servicios públicos" |url=https://www.granadahoy.com/granada/Podemos-reivindica-Granada-Gobierno-progresista-acabar-precariedad-desmantelamiento-servicios-publicos-Andalucia_0_1679532925.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Granada Hoy |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-07 |title=Podemos, satisfecho con el amplio acuerdo progresista |url=https://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/politica/2021/11/07/satisfecho-amplio-acuerdo-progresista-2111451.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Diario de Noticias de Navarra |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Zarzalejos |first=José Antonio |date=2022-05-31 |title=El desplome de la coalición progresista y el disparate de Unidas Podemos |url=https://blogs.elconfidencial.com/espana/notebook/2022-05-31/desplome-coalicion-progresista-disparate-unidas-podemos_3433479/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}{{Cite web |title=Podemos aprieta al PSOE para una agenda progresista "valiente" desde el Gobierno con la que frenar a la ultraderecha |url=https://www.publico.es/politica/aprieta-psoe-agenda-progresista-valiente-gobierno-frenar-ultraderecha.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.publico.es|date=14 February 2022 }}{{Cite web |last=Aduriz |first=Iñigo |date=2022-07-12 |title=Unidas Podemos celebra "el golpe de timón progresista" pero pide otro nuevo impuesto a las grandes corporaciones |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/unidas-celebra-golpe-timon-progresista-pide-nuevo-impuesto-grandes-corporaciones_1_9165311.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=elDiario.es |language=es}} The party considers itself egalitarian,{{Cite web |date=2014-10-06 |title=diaridetarragona.com - Peronismo o chavismo a la española |url=http://www.diaridetarragona.com/tribuna/27262/peronismo-o-chavismo-a-la-espanola |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006065648/http://www.diaridetarragona.com/tribuna/27262/peronismo-o-chavismo-a-la-espanola |archive-date=2014-10-06 |access-date=2022-10-26}} secularist,{{Cite web |title=Podemos centra su política laicista en medidas fiscales para acabar con los privilegios de la Iglesia |url=https://www.publico.es/politica/elecciones-generales-2019-centra-politica-laicista-medidas-fiscales-acabar-privilegios-iglesia.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.publico.es|date=12 April 2019 }} anti-racist, anti-fascist{{Cite web |date=2018-12-02 |title=Pablo Iglesias decreta "alerta antifascista" y llama a la movilización contra los "postfranquistas" de Vox |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-pablo-iglesias-decreta-alerta-antifascista-llama-movilizacion-contra-postfranquistas-vox-20181202233123.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.europapress.es}} and environmentalist.

The party is strongly feminist{{Cite web |last=Muro |first=Miriam |date=2019-03-04 |title=La medida estrella de Podemos para Madrid: una asignatura de "feminismo" en los colegios |url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/2019-03-04/la-medida-estrella-de-podemos-para-la-comunidad-de-madrid-una-asignatura-de-feminismo-en-los-colegios-1276634191/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Libertad Digital |language=es-ES}} and has advocated for feminism as a subject in schools. The party supports abortion being legal,{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title=Podemos lleva la nueva agenda feminista a las elecciones autonómicas |url=https://www.leonoticias.com/elecciones/castilla-y-leon/podemos-lleva-nueva-20220129125137-nt.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Leonoticias |language=es}} even without parental consent.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=El Congreso aprueba la ley del aborto: se elimina la necesidad del permiso paterno desde los 16 años |url=https://www.ondacero.es/noticias/sociedad/congreso-aprueba-ley-aborto-elimina-necesidad-permiso-paterno-16-anos_2023021663ee2a6e2b5c7800012fbdb7.html |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=OndaCero |language=es}} On the matter of prostitution, the party is split between abolitionists and those seeking to better regulate prostitution.{{Cite web |last=Chouza |first=Paula |date=2021-10-09 |title=Podemos contrapone la lucha feminista a las políticas de la extrema derecha |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2021-10-09/podemos-contrapone-la-lucha-feminista-a-las-politicas-de-la-extrema-derecha.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=El País |language=es}}{{cite news |last= Hedgecoe |first= Guy |date= 26 October 2021 |title= Sánchez faces tough battle to end Spain's €3.7B sex industry |url= https://www.politico.eu/article/sanchez-spain-prostitution-business-psoe/ |work= Politico EU |access-date= 26 October 2022 |quote= Unidas Podemos (UP), the hard-left junior partner in the Socialist-led government, is divided between abolitionists and those seeking to better regulate prostitution.}}

Podemos supports LGBT rights.{{Cite news |last=Alberola |first=Miquel |date=2018-02-22 |title=El PP fracasa en su intento de cambiar la ley LGTBI respaldada por el Congreso |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2018/02/22/actualidad/1519294508_495035.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |issn=1134-6582}}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-16 |title=Ayuso se abstiene en la derogación de las leyes LGTB: Vox y la izquierda la acusan de "cobarde" |url=https://www.elespanol.com/espana/madrid/20211216/vox-izquierda-ayuso-cobarde-abstenerse-derogacion-lgtb/635186523_0.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=El Español |language=es}} The party is responsible for the Ley Trans, a law focused on gender self-determination and trans rights that has created a rift in the government.{{Cite web |last=Derbyshire |first=Yaiza |date=2022-10-26 |title=Las claves de la ley trans que divide al Gobierno: por qué genera tanta polémica |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2022-10-26/claves-ley-trans-por-que-polemica_3513087/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}

Podemos supports the right to vote for immigrants, particularly Moroccans, as part of their "political rights",{{Cite web |title=Espagne: Podemos défend le droit de vote des immigrés marocains aux élections communales |url=https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/details/128174/espagne-podemos-defend-droit-vote.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.yabiladi.com |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-02 |title=Podemos pide que los inmigrantes marroquíes puedan votar en las próximas municipales |url=https://okdiario.com/espana/podemos-pide-que-inmigrantes-marroquies-puedan-votar-proximas-municipales-9172600 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=okdiario.com |language=es}} and the party has called for the regularisation of over half a million of illegal immigrants.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-08 |title=Unidas Podemos propone regularizar a los 600.000 inmigrantes sin papeles que estaban en España cuando se decretó el estado de alarma |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2020/07/08/5f0595b9fc6c837c088b459d.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2020-07-08 |title=Iglesias pide a Sánchez dar papeles a 600.000 inmigrantes sin regularizar que han pasado la pandemia en España |url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/4317622/0/unidas-podemos-propone-dar-papeles-a-todos-los-inmigrantes-irregulares-que-han-pasado-la-pandemia-en-espana/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias |language=es}} According to Okdiario, Podemos "tries to revitalise its electoral expectations in a coveted voting camp: the immigrant one".

Podemos supports legalising and regulating cannabis in Spain.{{cite news |last= Balbontin |first= Pablo |date= 14 July 2018 |title= Political parties in Spain call for legalisation of weed which 'will bring €1.2 billion' to the economy |url= https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2018/07/14/political-parties-in-spain-call-for-legalisation-of-weed-which-will-bring-e1-2-billion-to-the-economy/ |work= The Olive Press |access-date= 8 September 2022}}{{cite news |last= Smith |first= Charlie |date= 19 October 2018 |title= GOING GREEN: Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias sparks controversial cannabis debate in Spain |url= https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2018/10/19/going-green-podemos-leader-pablo-iglesias-sparks-controversial-cannabis-debate-in-spain/ |work= The Olive Press |access-date= 8 September 2022}}{{cite news |last= Garcia Valdivia |first= Ana |date= 11 March 2019 |title= The Economic Implications Behind The Cannabis Legalization Debate |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/anagarciavaldivia/2019/03/11/the-economic-implications-behind-the-cannabis-legalization-debate/?sh=729075ed5c56 |work= Forbes |access-date= 8 September 2022}} The party also supported the legalisation of euthanasia, which was legalised in Spain in March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Benito |first=Emilio de |date=2021-03-18 |title=Spain approves euthanasia law, becoming the fifth country in the world to regulate the practice |url=https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-03-18/spain-approves-euthanasia-law-becoming-the-fifth-country-in-the-world-to-regulate-the-practice.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=EL PAÍS English Edition |language=en-us}}

Podemos opposes economic inequality{{cite web |title=Wyborcza.pl |url=https://wyborcza.pl/7,75399,16046386,hiszpania-w-lewo-zwrot.html?disableRedirects=true |access-date=2021-07-05 |website=wyborcza.pl}} and is critical of capitalism,{{Cite web|url=https://podemos.info/ca/posicion-politica-sobre-explotacion-reproductiva-mujeres/|title=Posición política de Podemos sobre la explotación reproductiva de las mujeres|date=14 February 2018|website=Podemos}}{{Cite web|url=https://podemos.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021_07_Doc_politico.pdf|title=DOCUMENTO POLITICO PODEMOS, P.46}} particularly the neoliberal kind.{{Cite web |last=Galaup |first=Laura |date=2022-02-07 |title=Podemos y Corbyn, una alianza contra el neoliberalismo y las grandes corporaciones |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/corbyn-alianza-neoliberalismo-grandes-corporaciones_1_8725643.html |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=elDiario.es |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=lucio |first=iñigo fdez de |date=2021-07-06 |title=Podemos se erige como "garante social" y critica el "neoliberalismo" del PNV |url=https://www.elcorreo.com/politica/podemos-erige-garante-20210706212132-nt.html?ref=https://www.elcorreo.com/politica/podemos-erige-garante-20210706212132-nt.html |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=El Correo |language=es}} The party wants to increase public spending and ban job cuts in profitable firms. It supports redistributive fiscal policies and a bigger welfare state. Podemos wants to regulate rental prices so they do not surpass 30% of mean income. The party wants to increase the minimum wage.

The party supports a universal basic income (UBI) for everyone over 18 years of age in Spain. In January 2023, the party proposed the amount to be between €700 and €1,400 a month.{{cite news |last= Burgen |first= Stephen |date= 15 January 2023 |title= 'We need to unite': how Yolanda Díaz is galvanising the left in Spain |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/15/yolanda-diaz-galvanising-the-left-in-spain |work= The Guardian |location= Spain |access-date= 17 January 2023 |quote= While Díaz was speaking in Barcelona, Ione Belarra, the general secretary of Podemos, was in Madrid presenting the party's plan to offer a universal basic income of between €700 and €1,400 (£620-$1,240) a month to everyone over 18 years of age.}}

The party is opposed to climate change and wants to create laws against "energetic poverty".{{Cite web |date=2021-04-20 |title=Programa Electoral de Iglesias: feminismo, vivienda y reforma fiscal |url=https://www.madridesnoticia.es/2021/04/programa-electoral-unidas-podemos/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |language=es}}

Podemos is opposed to any increases in military spending and supports the withdrawal from NATO of Spain.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-24 |title=Frente anti-OTAN en el "ala dura" de la izquierda española |url=https://euroefe.euractiv.es/section/las-capitales/linksdossier/frente-anti-otan-en-el-ala-dura-de-la-izquierda-espanola/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=euroefe.euractiv.es |language=es}}

Podemos considers itself a pro-European party,{{Cite web |date=2019-05-17 |title=Rodríguez Palop: "Sería absurdo regresar al modelo de estado nación" |url=https://www.elcomercio.es/elecciones/europeas/rodriguez-palop-absurdo-modelo-estado-nacion-podemos-20190518174243-ntrc.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=El Comercio |language=es}} but has expressed displeasure with the current functioning of the European Union,{{Cite news |date=2014-05-26 |title=Spain's 'we can' party proves it can |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-eu-27579898 |access-date=2022-10-26}} and has been described as taking a Eurosceptic stance by some sources.{{cite book |author1=Donatella della Porta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=akewDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA120 |title=Movement Parties Against Austerity |author2=Joseba Fernández |author3=Hara Kouki |author4=Lorenzo Mosca |publisher=Wiley |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-5095-1147-1 |page=120 |author-link=Donatella della Porta}}{{cite book|author1=Donatella della Porta|author2=Hara Kouki|author3=Joseba Fernandez|chapter=Left's Love and Hate for Europe: Syriza, Podemos and Critical Visions of Europe During the Crisis|editor1=Manuela Caiani|editor2=Simona Guerra|title=Euroscepticism, Democracy and the Media: Communicating Europe, Contesting Europe|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gok0DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA236|year= 2017|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK|isbn=978-1-137-59643-7|page=236}}{{Cite web |date=2014-12-10 |title=Euroscepticism Or Europhobia: Voice Vs. Exit? |url=http://www.notre-europe.eu/media/euroscepticismoreurophobia-bertoncini-koenig-ne-jdi-nov14.pdf?pdf=ok |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210182200/http://www.notre-europe.eu/media/euroscepticismoreurophobia-bertoncini-koenig-ne-jdi-nov14.pdf?pdf=ok |archive-date=2014-12-10 |access-date=2022-10-26 }} However, others consider it to be a pro-European party and several academics have defined it as soft Eurosceptic.{{cite news |last1= Moruno |first1= Jorge |last2= Marsili |first2= Lorenzo |date= 17 June 2016 |title= Podemos: reclaiming Europe is a revolutionary slogan |url= https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/can-europe-make-it/podemos-reclaiming-europe-is-revolutionary-slogan/ |work= openDemocracy |access-date= 17 January 2023}}{{cite news |last= Badcock |first= James |date= 25 June 2016 |title= Fears that Spanish political crisis will deepen as country goes to the polls |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/25/fears-that-spanish-economic-crisis-will-deepen-as-country-goes-t/ |work= The Daily Telegraph |location= Madrid |access-date= 17 January 2023}}{{cite book |last= E. De Vries |first= Catherine |date= 2018 |title= Euroscepticism and the Future of European Integration |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=MkBFDwAAQBAJ |location= United Kingdom |publisher= Oxford University Press |page= 129 |isbn= 9780198793380}}{{cite book |last= Blokker |first= Paul |date= 2022 |title= Imagining Europe Transnational Contestation and Civic Populism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qWZXEAAAQBAJ |location= Switzerland |publisher= Springer International Publishing |page= 184 |isbn= 9783030813697}}{{cite book |last1= Porta |first1= Donatella |first2= Joseba |last2= Fernández |first3= Hara |last3= Kouki |first4= Lorenzo |last4= Mosca |date= 2017 |title= Movement Parties Against Austerity |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=akewDwAAQBAJ |location= United Kingdom |publisher= Polity Press |page= 120 |isbn= 9781509511471}} Podemos has called for a renegotiation of austerity measures and seeks to curtail the Treaty of Lisbon. It is also part of the European Left Alliance for the People and the Planet; a pan-European party that supports an alternative to capitalism.[https://leftalliance.eu/ WHO WE ARE]

Podemos has been accused of having ties to Bolivarian Venezuela and the Chavismo. Since 2024, said accusations have made a comeback following the party recognising the results of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election (accused of fraud by the Venezuelan opposition) by high ranking members such as Irene Montero and Juan Carlos Monedero.{{Cite web |last=elDiario.es |date=2024-07-29 |title=Podemos reconoce la victoria de Maduro: "La derecha debe entender que la democracia se respeta también cuando pierde" |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/ultima-hora-actualidad-politica-directo_6_11555334_1109006.html |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=elDiario.es |language=es}}

Podemos supports the right of self-determination for the Sahrawi people, seeking to establish high-level diplomatic relations between Spain and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and to expand the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara so that "it acquires competencies in the protection and promotion of the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Sahrawi population".{{Cite web |date=2022-01-24 |title=Libre determinación para el pueblo saharaui - Programa para las elecciones europeas del 26M |url=https://podemos.info/medida-europa/libre-determinacion-para-el-pueblo-saharaui/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=podemos.info |language=es}} Podemos reiterated its support for a referendum of self-determination after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez supported Morocco's autonomy proposal by presenting a motion in the Congress of Deputies together with ERC and EH Bildu that ended up being approved.{{Cite news |date=2022-04-07 |title=El Congreso aprueba la moción en favor del referéndum del Sáhara con el voto en contra del PSOE |language=es |work=El Confidencial |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2022-04-07/el-congreso-aprueba-la-mocion-en-favor-del-referendum-del-sahara-con-el-voto-en-contra-del-psoe_3405053/ |access-date=2022-11-07}}

Podemos has criticised Israel's Gaza war in the Gaza Strip.{{cite news |title=Israel should be disqualified from Eurovision 2024: European politicians |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/6/israel-should-be-disqualified-from-eurovision-2024-european-politicians |work=Al Jazeera |date=2 February 2024}}{{cite news |title=Spain’s Sumar, Podemos condemn alleged arms shipment to Israel via Spain |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/spains-sumar-podemos-condemn-alleged-arms-shipment-to-israel-via-spain/ |work=Euractiv |date=17 May 2024}} On 16 October 2023, in response to Israel's bombing and blockade of the Gaza Strip, Podemos leader Ione Belarra accused the EU and the United States of "being complicit in Israel's war crimes" and called for Israel to be denounced before the International Criminal Court because of what she identified as ongoing "planned genocide" in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian peoples.{{cite news |title=Israel accuses Spain of siding with Hamas after ‘genocide’ accusation |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/17/israel-accuses-spain-of-siding-with-hamas-after-genocide-accusation |work=Al Jazeera |date=17 October 2023}}{{cite news |title=Spanish minister wants Israel tried in world court for Gaza 'war crimes' |url=https://www.trtworld.com/europe/spanish-minister-wants-israel-tried-in-world-court-for-gaza-war-crimes-15417158 |work=TRT World |date=17 October 2023}} In November 2023, Belarra called for sanctions on Israel and accused the European Commission of "hypocrisy".{{cite news |title=Spain’s Ione Belarra: Israel must end ‘genocide’ of Palestinians in Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/8/deafening-silence-spanish-minister-calls-on-europe-to-sanction-israel |work=Al Jazeera |date=8 November 2023}}

The Secretary General is the head and leader of the party.

The party's Organizational Secretaries are listed below.

The party has a regional branch for every single autonomous community in Spain. These include the following, among others:

• Podemos Andalusia
• Podemos Asturias
• Podemos Castile and León
• Podemos Euskadi
• Podemos Extremadura
• Podemos Region of Murcia

{{update|section|date=June 2021|reason=This was before they started charging a membership fee to be a member in 2020. Current numbers are significantly lower}}

As of 2019, there are 523,000 members and 25,000 activists.{{cite web|url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/Podemos-pacificar-territorios-afrontar-gobernar_0_966253605.html |title=Podemos 2020: el reto de gobernar mientras se pacifica el partido y se rearman los territorios |work=eldiario.es |access-date=24 November 2019|date=23 November 2019}}

Podemos has been a member of the following coalitions:

• Nationwide: Unidas Podemos (2016–2023), Sumar (2023).
• Andalusia: Adelante Andalucía (2018–2021), Por Andalucía (since 2022).
• Basque Country: Elkarrekin Podemos (since 2016).
• Catalonia: Catalunya Sí que es Pot (2015–2017), Catalunya en Comú–Podem (2017–2021), En Comú Podem (2016–2024).
• Galicia: En Marea (until 2019),{{cite news |last1=Varela |first1=Manuel |title=La ruptura de Podemos con En Marea hunde la representación de la sucursal de Iglesias en Galicia |url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/elecciones/2019/04/09/ruptura-podemos-marea-hunde-representacion-sucursal-iglesias-galicia/00031554820192117908337.htm |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=La Voz de Galicia |date=30 April 2019}} Galicia en Común (2019–2023).
• Valencian Community: És el moment (until 2016),{{cite news |title=Compromís, Podemos e IU logran un acuerdo para la lista valenciana al Congreso |url=https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20160513/compromis-podemos-esquerra-unida-alcanzan-acuerdo-finalmente-para-ir-congreso-valencia/1350840.shtml |access-date=11 May 2021 |publisher=RTVE |date=13 May 2016 |language=Spanish}} A la valenciana (2016–2019).
• European Union: Unidas Podemos Cambiar Europa (2019–2024).

Podemos is a member of The Left in the European Parliament, where the Greek party Syriza is also found, and whose former leader, Alexis Tsipras, has been supportive of Podemos.{{Cite news |last=Manetto |first=Francesco |date=2014-11-13 |title=Tsipras arropará a Pablo Iglesias en la clausura de la asamblea de Podemos |language=es |work=El País |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2014/11/13/actualidad/1415910030_745082.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |issn=1134-6582}}{{Cite web |title=Alexis Tsipras: "Es la hora de que Rajoy y Samaras se vayan" |url=https://www.publico.es/politica/alexis-tsipras-hora-rajoy-y.html |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.publico.es|date=15 November 2014 }} In May 2018, the party joined Now the People.{{Cite web|date=2018-04-13|title="Maintenant le Peuple": trois partis de gauche radicale lancent un mouvement commun|url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_maintenant-le-peuple-trois-partis-de-gauche-radicale-lancent-un-mouvement-commun?id=9891968|access-date=2021-10-25|website=RTBF Info|language=fr}}{{Cite web|date=2019-05-11|title=A Marseille, les Insoumis, Podemos et leurs alliés veulent une...|url=https://www.publicsenat.fr/article/politique/a-marseille-les-insoumis-podemos-et-leurs-allies-veulent-une-europe-sous-mandat|access-date=2021-10-25|website=Public Senat|language=fr}}

The party was said to allegedly have ties to Bolivarian Venezuela and the Islamic Republic of Iran;{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/podemos-and-the-iran-venezuela-connection/a-19004706 | title=Financial irregularities? – DW – 01/27/2016 | website=Deutsche Welle }}{{cite web | url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/centre-right-dirty-mission-against-podemos-shocks-spain/ | title=Centre-right 'dirty mission' against Podemos shocks Spain | date=March 2023 }}.

The support obtained by the new formation after the European elections in 2014 resulted in multiple analyses and reactions. While some sectors welcomed the results, there were also expressions of concern. Pedro Sanchez, Secretary General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) since July 2014, branded Podemos populist on numerous occasions at the beginning of his term{{cite web|title=Pedro Sánchez: "El populismo ha encontrado su expresión institucional en Podemos"|url=http://www.publico.es/politica/pedro-sanchez-populismo-encontrado-expresion.html|website=Publico|date=21 September 2014 |access-date=16 December 2014}} while much of its electorate opted for the new party.{{cite web|title=¿De dónde vienen los votos de Podemos?|url=http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-45-votantes-iu-icv-2011-28-upyd-24-psoe-apuestan-ahora-podemos-20141105193223.html|website=Europa Press|access-date=16 December 2014|date=5 November 2014}} The New York Times stated that "the party's 36-page campaign program reads like a wish list, with little detail about how it could be financed at a time when Spain is still struggling under a heavy debt burden". Vicente Palacio of Fundación Alternativas said that Podemos could have "very beneficial effects in terms of regenerating the Spanish democratic system", but is in danger of going "toward populism and demagogy, as has happened in the case of Beppe Grillo and his Five Star Movement in Italy".{{cite news|last1=Minder|first1=Raphael|title=Spanish Upstart Party Said It Could, and Did. Now the Hard Part Begins.|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/29/world/europe/spanish-upstart-party-said-it-could-and-did-now-the-hard-part-begins.html?_r=1|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=The New York Times|date=29 May 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Diez|first1=Anabel|title=El PSOE tratará de situar a Podemos en la extrema izquierda|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/11/30/actualidad/1417377385_646349.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=El Pais|date=30 November 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Manetto|first1=Francesco|title=El PSOE y Podemos se disputan la hegemonía de la izquierda|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/12/01/actualidad/1417465610_125717.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=El Pais|date=1 December 2014}}

The leader of Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) Rosa Díez said that similarities could be found with the Greek left-wing coalition Syriza, with the Five Star Movement of Beppe Grillo and even with the French right-wing National Front of Marine Le Pen.{{cite news|title=Rosa Díez cree que las propuestas de Podemos se parecen a las de Syriza, Beppe Grillo e incluso Le Pen|url=http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-rosa-diez-cree-propuestas-podemos-parecen-syriza-beppe-grillo-incluso-le-pen-20140527133933.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=Europa News|date=27 May 2014}} The spokesman for the People's Party María Dolores de Cospedal said that poll results show a radicalisation of the left vote.{{cite news|title=Elecciones europeasCospedal ve "prematuro y alejado de la realidad" enterrar el bipartidismo|url=http://www.abc.es/espana/20140526/abci-cospedal-bipartidismo-201405262032.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=ABC.es|date=26 May 2014}} Esperanza Aguirre, another prominent member of the People's Party, accused Pablo Iglesias of "being with the Castrismo, with Chavismo and ETA", which Iglesias responded to statements described as "slander" and announced he would consider legal action.{{cite news|last1=Manetto|first1=Francesco|title=Pablo Iglesias ve "infamia" en las palabras de Aguirre y contempla acciones legales|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/07/04/actualidad/1404486528_372743.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=El Pais|date=4 July 2014}}

The leaders of Podemos also tried to distance themselves from the government of Venezuela following allegations of "murky" funding since many Podemos leaders were linked to Venezuela and other "revolutionary" governments in Latin America.{{cite news|last1=Badcock|first1=James|title=Podemos struggles to rebuff Venezuela link|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/11444876/Podemos-struggles-to-rebuff-Venezuela-link.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/11444876/Podemos-struggles-to-rebuff-Venezuela-link.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=15 March 2015|agency=The Daily Telegraph|date=2 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|last1=Chicote|first1=Javier|title=Las actas de la fundación chavista CEPS acreditan los lazos con los líderes de Podemos|url=http://www.abc.es/espana/20150223/abci-actas-podemos-ceps-201502222136.html|access-date=15 March 2015|agency=ABC|date=24 February 2015}} Consulting work by several party members, including Iglesias, in leftist Latin American governments earned their consulting organisation, Center for Political and Social Studies Foundation (CEPS Foundation), €3.5 million, which helped fund their television debates. Juan Carlos Monedero, one of Podemos' founding members, received €425,000 for political consultancy work for Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua. Podemos called for an external auditor to observe accounts from February 2014 to December 2014, which showed that the total income from both private donations and state subsidies was at about €947,000. Among the largest donors to the party were Podemos' own five MEPs, who donated €52,000 in 2014 from their salaries.

Since March 2015, journalists have been critical of the relationship between the political party and the traditional media.{{cite news|url=https://www.elplural.com/2015/03/02/el-director-de-informacion-acusa-a-podemos-de-fascismo-por-expulsar-a-angel-luna-del-diario|title=Reviews of March 2015|work=EP}} In March 2017, around a dozen Spanish journalists filed a complaint with the Madrid Press Association (APM), accusing Podemos of intimidating them because they published articles that were critical of the party.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/03/07/inenglish/1488875313_455574.html|title=Spanish party Podemos accused of intimidating journalists|work=El País}} The Economist magazine has described the party as far-left.{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Last of the commies |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/11/18/last-of-the-commies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711054931/https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/11/18/last-of-the-commies |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |newspaper=The Economist |quote=Podemos, a far-left Spanish party, is part of the governing coalition, but its brand of anti-austerity populism comes from a different tradition to Europe's remaining reds.}}

{{update|section|date=October 2021}}

{{further|Opinion polling for the 2015 Spanish general election|Opinion polling for the 2016 Spanish general election}}

File:OpinionPollingSpainGeneralElection2015.png which saw the rise of Podemos]]

According to GlobalPost, Podemos and other parties of the left have suddenly grown because of Europe's economic difficulties.{{cite news|last1=Ames|first1=Paul|title=Europe looks left|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/141114/europe-left-spain-podemos-iglesias-euro-crisis|access-date=8 January 2015|agency=Global Post|date=15 November 2014}} Unemployment, especially among young Spanish adults, has created a positive sentiment towards Podemos and their appeal to the unsatisfied youth of Spain with an "irreverent style". Podemos also used its very well run social media presence to its benefit to find popularity.

After it received the fourth highest number of votes in the European elections, news related to the growth of Podemos started to be published. The hashtag Pablo Iglesias was the number 1 trending topic on Twitter in Spain the day after the elections;{{cite web |url=http://www.trendinalia.com/twitter-trending-topics/spain/spain-140526.html |author=Trendinalia |title=Trending topics en Twitter en España el 26 de mayo de 2014 |access-date=22 October 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210433/http://www.trendinalia.com/twitter-trending-topics/spain/spain-140526.html |url-status=dead }} Iglesias also appeared on the front page of prominent Spanish newspapers. Before the elections, Podemos was already the most popular political force within social networks, but it had increased from 100,000 to 600,000 "Likes" on Facebook between May and July 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://www.publico.es/politica/538925/podemos-se-consolida-como-la-primera-fuerza-politica-en-redes-sociales | title=Podemos se consolida como la primera fuerza política en redes sociales |newspaper=Público |date=16 August 2014 |last=Bollero|first=David}} The CIS' quarterly survey, polling over July 2014 (two months after the elections) showed Podemos as the second most popular party regarding direct intention of vote, surpassing the PSOE, but being a 0.9% behind the PP.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2014/08/04/53df633f22601d7a2a8b456f.html | title=Podemos supera al PSOE en intención de voto directa |newspaper=El Mundo |date=4 August 2014 |last=Hernández|first=Marisol}} In late July, Podemos started to allow individuals to sign up, with 32,000 people registering as members in the first 48 hours through Podemos' website for free.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2014/07/30/53d93325ca4741b5458b4599.html | title=Podemos suma 32.000 'afiliados' en 48 horas |newspaper=El Mundo |date=31 July 2014 |author=Álvaro Carvajal}} In the first 20 days, Podemos already had about 100,000 members, becoming the third largest Spanish party by membership, surpassing United Left (IU), Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD), Convergence and Union (CiU) and Basque Nationalist Party (PNV/EAJ).{{cite news|title=Podemos suma casi 100.000 inscritos en 20 días|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=17 August 2014|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.es/2014/08/17/podemos-afiliados-_n_5685353.html}} In August 2014, Podemos already had 442,000 more "Likes" on Facebook than the "Likes" of the rest of the parties combined, having 708,763, with more than 2.6 million views on its YouTube channel. In September 2014, the interview of Iglesias in Viajando con Chester had almost 3 million watchers, being the most watched programme in its timeslot with 14.5% of the audience share.{{cite news|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/television/audiencias/20140929/54416433748/pablo-iglesias-artur-mas-audiencia.html|title=Pablo Iglesias gana la batalla de la audiencia a Artur Mas |newspaper=La Vanguardia|date=29 September 2014 |author=Redacción}} In October 2014, Iglesias' participation in La Sexta Noche (in which he was also interviewed) rose the audience share of the programme to 16,2%, which is its historical maximum.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.lainformacion.com/telediaria/2014/10/05/pablo-iglesias-lanza-a-la-sexta-noche-a-maximo-historico-de-audiencias/|title=Pablo Iglesias lanza a 'La Sexta Noche' a máximo histórico de audiencias|newspaper=lainformacion.com|date=5 October 2014|last=Terán|first=Borja|archive-date=7 January 2015|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107101955/http://blogs.lainformacion.com/telediaria/2014/10/05/pablo-iglesias-lanza-a-la-sexta-noche-a-maximo-historico-de-audiencias/|url-status=dead}} Iglesias' interview in Salvados also made the programme have its best ever audience, with a 23.8% and 5 million watchers.{{cite web|url=http://www.formulatv.com/noticias/41310/audiencias-salavdos-pablo-iglesias-bate-record-historico-5-millones/| title='Salvados', con Pablo Iglesias, bate su récord histórico con un 23,8% y más de 4,9 millones |website=Fórmula TV |date=27 October 2014 |last=Migelez|first=Xabier}} In late October, Podemos had more than 200,000 members.{{cite news|url=http://www.publico.es/politica/552666/la-propuesta-de-iglesias-para-constituir-podemos-gana-por-amplia-mayoria-con-un-80-71| title=La propuesta de Iglesias para constituir Podemos gana por amplia mayoría con un 80,71%|newspaper=Público|date=27 October 2014|first=Alejandro|last=López de Miguel}} On 2 November 2014, El Pais published an opinion poll which gave Podemos 27.7% approval rating, compared to PSOE's 26.2% and PP's 20.7%; and gave Podemos a direct intention of vote of 22.2%, compared to PSOE's 13.1% and PP's 10.4%.{{cite news|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2014/11/01/actualidad/1414865510_731502.html|newspaper=El País|last=Garea|first=Fernando|title=Podemos supera a PSOE y PP y rompe el tablero electoral}} The party lost much support in the polls during the final months of 2015 when elections were approaching (sinking to 13%) whereas during the election campaign experienced a huge rise in support in the polls up to 20% of vote days before the election.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

According to Politico Europe's Poll of Polls, Podemos has remained the fourth most popular party in Spain, since the November 2019 Spanish general election.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-16 |title=POLITICO Poll of Polls — Spanish polls, trends and election news for Spain |url=https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/spain/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=POLITICO |language=en-US}} Podemos has polled, on average, at 11% by National Parliament voting intention.

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Fernández-Albertos, José (2015) Los Votantes de Podemos: Del partido de los indignados al partido de los excluidos. Madrid: Libros de la Catarata.
• Ramiro, Luis; Gómez, Raúl (2016) [http://psx.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/06/15/0032321716647400.full Radical-left populism during the great recession: Podemos and its competition with the established radical left]. Political Studies. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220514043211/http://dx.doi/ org/10.1177/0032321716647400. doi:10.1177/0032321716647400].{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
• Rodríguez Teruel, Juan; Barrio, Astrid; Barberà, Oscar (2016) "[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/13608746.2016.1250397?scroll=top&needAccess=true Fast and Furious: Podemos' quest for power in multi-level Spain]". South European Politics and Society. Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.1080/13608746.2016.1250397. Published online.

{{Commons category|Podemos}}

• {{official website}}

{{Podemos (Spanish political party)}}

{{Spanish political parties}}

{{European Left Alliance for the People and the Planet}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2014 establishments in Spain

Category:Left-wing politics in Spain

Category:Political parties established in 2014

Category:Unidas Podemos

Category:Political parties supporting universal basic income