Citizens (Spanish political party)

Citizens was preceded by the political platform Ciutadans de Catalunya (Citizens of Catalonia), formed on 7 June 2005 by a group of fifteen academics, writers and other figures of Catalan society (including Albert Boadella, Félix de Azúa, and Francesc de Carreras) in reaction to the Generalitat's plans to reform the Statute of Autonomy. The group presented their manifesto at the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona on the 21st of the same month, where they called on "citizens of Catalonia who identify with our proposal to demand a political party which will contribute to the restoration of realism", expressing their lacking confidence in the government to "address the real problems faced by the general public." In this manifesto, they declared that "the rhetoric of hatred promulgated by official Catalan government media against everything Spanish is more alarming than ever" and that "the [Catalan] nation, postulated as an homogenous entity, has taken over the space where an undeniably diverse society lives".{{Cite web |title=For a new political party in Catalonia |url=http://www.ciutadansdecatalunya.com/pdf/eng.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227060215/http://www.ciutadansdecatalunya.com/pdf/eng.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-27 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Ciutadans de Catalunya}}

Leading up to their formation as a political party, Ciutadans de Catalunya organised several round table meetings and conferences that were occasionally met with controversy; at one event held ahead of the referendum on the 2006 Catalan Statute of Autonomy, several members of the group were assaulted by pro-independence activists.{{Cite web |title=elmundo.es - Yo vi a los fascistas pegar a los Ciutadans |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/06/06/prego/1149565979.html |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=www.elmundo.es}}{{Cite web |date=2007-02-02 |title=Al nacionalismo por el terror / EL MUNDO |url=http://www.arcadi.espasa.com/archivo/preg.htm |access-date=2024-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202124810/http://www.arcadi.espasa.com/archivo/preg.htm |archive-date=2 February 2007 }} A second manifesto was presented at the Teatro Tívoli in Barcelona on 4 March 2006.{{Cite web |title=Second Manifesto of Ciutadans de Catalunya |url=http://www.ciutadansdecatalunya.info/main.php?id_pagina=13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216224443/http://www.ciutadansdecatalunya.info/main.php?id_pagina=13 |archive-date=16 December 2011 |access-date= |website=Ciutadans de Catalunya}}

Their founding conference was held in July in Barcelona, where Citizens was formally incorporated as a political party under the full name of Ciudadanos–Partido de la Ciudadanía (Citizens–Party of the Citizenry). Albert Rivera, 26 years old at the time, was elected its first leader.{{Cite web |date=2006-11-01 |title=Albert Rivera: "Lucharemos por una Cataluña donde puedas sentirte catalán y español sin que te digan facha" |url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/nacional/albert-rivera-lucharemos-por-una-cataluna-donde-puedas-sentirte-catalan-y-espanol-sin-que-te-digan-facha-1276291631/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Libertad Digital |language=es-ES}}

Cs presented in 16 September its candidature for the 2006 Catalan regional election, taking part in an election for the first time. The party entered the regional parliament with three MPs, including leader Rivera, winning 89,840 votes, the 3.09% of the total.{{Cite web |last=Confidencial |first=El |date=2006-11-01 |title=CiU gana con 48 escaños, el PSC baja a 37 y Ciutadans obtiene 3 |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2006-11-01/ciu-gana-con-48-escanos-el-psc-baja-a-37-y-ciutadans-obtiene-3_509386/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}} The party voted against the investiture of José Montilla.{{Cite web |date=2006-11-24 |title=José Montilla es investido presidente de la Generalidad en la reedición del fracasado tripartito |url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/nacional/jose-montilla-es-investido-presidente-de-la-generalidad-en-la-reedicion-del-fracasado-tripartito-1276293415/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Libertad Digital |language=es-ES}}

For the 2010 regional election, Albert Rivera was chosen the party's candidate for the presidency of the Catalan Generalitat.{{Cite web |date=2011-11-22 |title=Albert Rivera, reelegido candidato de Ciudadanos a la Generalitat |url=http://www.lavozlibre.com/noticias/ampliar/36645/albert-rivera-reelegido-candidato-de-ciudadanos-a-la-generalitat |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=lavozlibre.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122192152/http://www.lavozlibre.com/noticias/ampliar/36645/albert-rivera-reelegido-candidato-de-ciudadanos-a-la-generalitat |archive-date=2011-11-22}} The party ended up winning 105,827 votes, the 3.4%, three tenths up from the previous election, maintaining its 3 MPs in the process.

C's took part in the 2012 snap election with Rivera as its candidate again.{{Cite web |date=2012-10-21 |title=Albert Rivera: "El 25-N Cataluña escogerá su camino: convivencia o separatismo" |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/catalunya/abci-albert-rivera-catalunya-escogera-201210210000_noticia.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Diario ABC |language=es}} Its campaign slogan was "Better united".{{Cite web |agency=Europa Press |date=2012-10-12 |title=C's apela a la unión de Cataluña, España y Europa en el lanzamiento de su precampaña |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/cs-cataluna-espana-europa-lanzamiento_1_5452249.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=ElDiario.es |language=es}} The party received 274,925 votes, the 7.58%, winning 9 MPs and tripling its votes.{{Cite web |date=2012-11-25 |title=25-N.- C's bate su récord histórico y triplica resultados hasta los nueve escaños |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-25-cs-bate-record-historico-triplica-resultados-nueve-escanos-20121125231302.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |publisher=Europa Press}} The party's substantial growth in support was mainly due to its role as a counterweight to the growing public support for independence in Catalonia, with C's acting as one of its most outspoken opponents.

Following the Catalan elections, C's studied expanding to other autonomous communities.{{Cite web |date=2006-10-30 |title=Ciutadans estudia expandirse a otras comunidades autónomas tras las elecciones catalanas |url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/nacional/ciutadans-estudia-expandirse-a-otras-comunidades-autonomas-tras-las-elecciones-catalanas-1276291495/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Libertad Digital |language=es-ES}} The party contested in the 2007 Spanish local elections,{{Cite news |last=Dolz |first=Patricia Ortega |date=2007-03-21 |title=Ciutadans pierde el puente aéreo |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2007/03/21/madrid/1174479861_850215.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}} winning only 13 councillors, all in Catalonia.

Cs decided to contest in the 2008 Spanish general election,{{Cite web |title=Albert Rivera será candidato de Ciutadans a las elecciones generales por Barcelona - elConfidencial.com |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/archivo/2008/01/02/3_albert_rivera_candidato_ciutadans_elecciones_generales_barcelona.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.elconfidencial.com}} presenting lists all over the country, and expecting to win MPs at least in Madrid and Barcelona.{{Cite web |date=2015-02-24 |title=Ciudadanos - Estrella Digital |url=https://www.estrelladigital.es/opinion/20150224/ciudadanos/?sec=esp&fech=03/03/2008 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.estrelladigital.es |language=es}} However, the party only won 45,750 votes (0.18%), being unable to achieve parliamentary representation.{{Cite web |date=2008-03-12 |title=Elecciones a Cortes Generales 2008 - Congreso - CIUDADANOS-PARTIDO DE LA CIUDADANIA |url=http://www.generales2008.mir.es/99CG/DCG990044X.htm |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=generales2008.mir.es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312185549/http://www.generales2008.mir.es/99CG/DCG990044X.htm |archive-date=2008-03-12}}

Cs participated in the 2009 European Parliament election. The party initially tried to do so in a coalition with the ideologically similar Union, Progress and Democracy (UPYD), but the offer was rejected.{{Cite web |title=Ciudadanos |url=https://www.ciudadanos-cs.org/prensa/Jose_Manuel_Villegas_Cs_encabezara_una_lista_europea_con_partidos_regionales_y_locales/2064/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.ciudadanos-cs.org}}{{Cite web |date=2009-02-15 |title=Rivera (C's) anuncia una coalición de partidos para las europeas y UPyD se desvincula |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-rivera-cs-anuncia-coalicion-partidos-europeas-upyd-desvincula-20090215132525.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |publisher=Europa Press}} The party's decision to take part in the Eurosceptic and nationalist Libertas coalition was met with controversy and led to infighting in the party due to it being at odds with Citizens' professed ideology{{Cite web |date=2016-12-21 |title=Ciutadans se divide tras aprobar acudir a las europeas con la coalición derechista Libertas - RTVE.es |url=http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20090423/ciutadans-se-divide-tras-aprobar-acudir-europeas-coalicion-derechista-libertas/268846.shtml |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=rtve.es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221125804/http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20090423/ciutadans-se-divide-tras-aprobar-acudir-europeas-coalicion-derechista-libertas/268846.shtml |archive-date=2016-12-21}}{{in lang|es}} [http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20090423/ciutadans-se-divide-tras-aprobar-acudir-europeas-coalicion-derechista-libertas/268846.shtml Ciutadans se divide tras aprobar acudir a las europeas con la coalición derechista Libertas], RTVE and alleged irregularities in the process.

The party took part in the 2011 local elections, maintaining 10 of its councillors. C's initially tried to contest in the 2011 general election together with UPYD,{{Cite web |date=2011-08-02 |title=Ciudadanos renuncia a presentarse el 20N para ayudar a una “tercera vía constitucionalista”, al menos, con UPyD |url=https://www.vozbcn.com/2011/08/02/82697/ciudadanos-renuncia-20n-terceravia/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=La Voz de Barcelona |language=es}}{{Cite web |title=Ciutadans intenta convencer a UPyD para concurrir juntos el 20-N {{!}} elmundo.es |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/08/06/barcelona/1312622430.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.elmundo.es}} but its offer was rejected for the fourth time,{{Cite web |date=2011-09-15 |title=La 'tercera vía' tendrá que esperar |url=https://www.vozbcn.com/2011/09/15/85638/upyd-ciudadanos-no-tercera/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=La Voz de Barcelona |language=es}} leading the party to not contest in order to not divide the vote.

File:Albert Rivera - 02.jpg, former president of the party]]

In 2013, the party started organising in the rest of Spain with a manifesto called "La conjura de Goya" ("Confederacy of Goya") that took place in the Congress Palace of Madrid.{{Cite web |last=Moraga |first=Carmen |date=2017-02-15 |title=Ciudadanos borra de su web al Movimiento Ciudadano con el que Albert Rivera impulsó el partido |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/ciudadanos-movimiento-ciudadano-albert-rivera-conjura-del-goya_1_3586522.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=ElDiario.es |language=es}}

C's decided to take part in the 2014 European election,{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=Periodista |date=2014-02-02 |title='Ciudadanos' concurrirá a las elecciones europeas y meterá en sus listas candidatos independientes |url=https://www.periodistadigital.com/sin-categoria/20140202/ciudadanos-concurrira-elecciones-europeas-metera-listas-candidatos-independientes-noticia-689400359906/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Periodista Digital |language=es}} where the party received 3.16% of the national vote (497,146 votes) and elected two MEPs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2014/06/12/pdfs/BOE-A-2014-6233.pdf |title=Official Gazette |access-date=3 July 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701020538/http://boe.es/boe/dias/2014/06/12/pdfs/BOE-A-2014-6233.pdf |url-status=dead }} Both MEPs subsequently joined the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group. The party was later also accepted into the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party on 4 June 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.aldeparty.eu/en/news/ciudadanos-nowoczesna-nasa-stranka-and-civic-position-join-alde-party |title=Ciudadanos, Nowoczesna, Naša stranka and Civic Position join ALDE Party | ALDE Party |access-date=15 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006015444/https://www.aldeparty.eu/en/news/ciudadanos-nowoczesna-nasa-stranka-and-civic-position-join-alde-party |archive-date=6 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news |last=Piñol |first=Àngels |date=2016-06-05 |title=Ciudadanos ingresa en ALDE, el partido de los liberales europeos |url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2016/06/04/catalunya/1465053729_625470.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}}

As part of its national implementation strategy, the party sealed alliances with various minor parties. Parties such as the Liberal Democratic Centre,{{Cite web |date=2015-04-12 |title=El Centro Democrático Liberal se integra en el Partido por la Ciudadanía – Ciudadanos que lidera Albert Rivera |url=http://www.minutodigital.com/2014/02/22/el-centro-democratico-liberal-se-integra-en-el-partido-por-la-ciudadania-ciudadanos-que-lidera-albert-rivera/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=minutodigital.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412144034/http://www.minutodigital.com/2014/02/22/el-centro-democratico-liberal-se-integra-en-el-partido-por-la-ciudadania-ciudadanos-que-lidera-albert-rivera/ |archive-date=2015-04-12}} Union of the Salamancan People,{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Cecilia |date=2014-07-29 |title=Unión del Pueblo Salmantino se integra en Ciudadanos |url=https://www.elnortedecastilla.es/salamanca/201407/28/union-pueblo-salmantino-integra-20140728203056.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=El Norte de Castilla |language=es}} the Regionalist Party of Castile and León,{{Cite web |date=2014-09-25 |title=Desaparece el PRCAL y se incorpora a Ciudadanos {{!}} Las noticias de Burgos según suceden {{!}} BurgosConecta.es |url=https://www.burgosconecta.es/2014/09/25/desaparece-el-prcal-y-se-incorpora-a-ciudadanos/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Las noticias de Burgos según suceden. Un nuevo periodismo en Burgos - BurgosConecta.es |language=es-ES}} and the Union of the Extremaduran People{{Cite web |last=M |first=C. |date=2014-11-14 |title=Upex se integra en Ciudadanos de cara a las próximas elecciones |url=https://www.hoy.es/extremadura/201411/14/upex-integra-ciudadanos-cara-20141114002546-v.html?ref=https://www.hoy.es/extremadura/201411/14/upex-integra-ciudadanos-cara-20141114002546-v.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Hoy |language=es}} joined Ciudadanos in 2014. The Sorian People's Platform did the same in 2015.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-17 |title=Plataforma del Pueblo Soriano se integra en Ciudadanos con la aspiración de ser bisagra en Ayuntamiento y Diputación |url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2407181/0/plataforma-pueblo-soriano-se-integra-ciudadanos-con-aspiracion-ser-bisagra-ayuntamiento-diputacion/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias |language=es}}

Citizens took part in the 2015 Catalan regional election, where it obtained 734,910 votes, the 17.93% of the total vote, more than doubling its results once again. By winning 25 MPs, the party became the second largest faction in the Catalan parliament.{{Cite web |last=Esteban |first=Paloma |date=2015-09-27 |title=Ciudadanos, segunda fuerza en Cataluña: "Empieza una nueva era política en España" |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/cataluna/elecciones-catalanas/2015-09-27/ciudadanos-albert-rivera-ines-arrimadas-segunda-fuerza-en-cataluna-empieza-una-nueva-era-politica-en-espana_1039206/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}{{Cite news |last=Güell |first=Oriol |date=2015-09-29 |title=¿Hacia un cinturón naranja? |url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2015/09/28/catalunya/1443470613_257484.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}}

In the 2015 general elections, Cs entered parliament with 3,500,446 votes (the 13.93%) and 40 seats.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-20 |title=España tumba el bipartidismo y deja en el aire el gobierno |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/12/20/5676faa222601d94038b458f.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}} As PP's Mariano Rajoy refused the mandate to form a government, Citizens promised the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) its support in parliament in exchange for a number of political concessions.{{Cite news |last=Mateo |first=Juan José |last2=Díez |first2=Anabel |date=2016-03-16 |title=Sánchez y Rivera se reúnen para reafirmar la vigencia de su acuerdo |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2016/03/16/actualidad/1458156472_615273.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}} However, this pact would have needed the support of Podemos, which Citizens could not abide by; this deadlock ultimately led to the 2016 snap election, where the party lost 0.8% of the popular vote and eight seats. After these elections, Citizens struck a deal with the conservative PP in supporting its government in exchange for a number of political concessions.{{Cite web |date=2016-10-25 |title=Albert Rivera habla con Rajoy y le confirma el sí de Ciudadanos a su investidura |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20161025/411311086798/albert-rivera-rajoy-si-ciudadanos-investidura.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=La Vanguardia |language=es}} After a 10-month political deadlock, PP leader Mariano Rajoy was able to win investiture as Prime Minister and retain power.

Following the illegal independence referendum in Catalonia and the unilateral declaration of independence in October 2017, C's supported the application of the article 155 of the Spanish constitution.{{Cite news |last=Domínguez |first=Íñigo |last2=Alberola |first2=Miquel |date=2017-10-27 |title=El Senado aprueba aplicar el artículo 155 en Cataluña |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2017/10/27/actualidad/1509105725_777595.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}} This led to the 2017 snap election in Catalonia, where Cs received 1,109,732 votes (25.26%) and obtained 36 MPs,{{Cite web |last=Fernández |first=Antonio |date=2017-12-22 |title=Gana Arrimadas, vence Puigdemont: histórica (y amarga) victoria de Ciudadanos |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/cataluna/elecciones-catalanas/2017-12-22/resultado-elecciones-cataluna-arrimadas-puigdemont-amarga-victoria_1497161/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}} effectively becoming the most voted party in Catalonia, being the first time in democracy where a non-Catalan nationalist party won a Catalan regional election.{{Cite web |last=Esteban |first=Paloma |date=2017-12-21 |title=Arrimadas sí hace historia: Ciudadanos gana las elecciones en Cataluña |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/cataluna/elecciones-catalanas/2017-12-21/elecciones-cataluna-21d-ciudadanos-arrimadas-gana_1497114/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}} Cs candidate Inés Arrimadas did not present for investiture due to lacking enough support to be invested as President of the Catalan Generalitat.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-27 |title=Arrimadas no intentará la investidura para evitar el desgaste ante el PP |url=https://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/12/27/5a42aec5468aeb1e1c8b45cb.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}}

Cs became the third most voted party in the 2018 Andalusian regional election, winning 21 MPs with 18.27% of the votes.{{Cite web |last=IGLESIAS |first=SILVIA QUÍLEZ |date=2018-12-03 |title=Ciudadanos se convierte en tercera fuerza y desafía al PP con su candidatura a gobernar la Junta |url=https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20181203/resultados-ciudadanos-elecciones-andaluzas-2018/1847400.shtml |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=RTVE.es |language=es}} The party became the junior partner of a coalition government with the PP, which received the external support of Vox.{{Cite web |last=Morillo |first=Isabel |date=2019-01-09 |title=PP y Ciudadanos firman su acuerdo a la espera del respaldo de Vox |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/andalucia/2019-01-09/sevilla-pp-ciudadanos_1748546/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}

Cs achieved its best result in a general election in the April 2019 Spanish general election, winning 4,136,600 votes (the 15.86%) and 57 seats, becoming the third most voted party in the country.{{Cite web |last=Esteban |first=Paloma |date=2019-04-28 |title=Ciudadanos, tercera fuerza y ante el brete de sumar con el PSOE mayoría absoluta |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/elecciones-generales/2019-04-28/elecciones-generales-ciudadanos-sondeos-resultados_1969870/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}

In the 2019 European elections, the party obtained 12% of the vote, and won a total of seven MEPs (which became eight post-brexit).{{cite web|url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2019/05/27/inenglish/1558941321_189987.html|title=Socialist Party wins the European elections in Spain|first=Lucía|last=Abellán|date=27 May 2019|website=El País|access-date=15 February 2021}}

C's went through electoral collapse in the November 2019 general election, having lost 80% of its seats (going from 57 to 10) and maintaining only 1,6 million votes (the 6.79%, down from the 15,9% of the previous election).{{Cite web |last=Moraga |first=Carmen |date=2019-11-11 |title=Albert Rivera abandona la política: dimite como presidente de Ciudadanos y renuncia a su escaño tras el batacazo electoral |url=https://www.eldiario.es/politica/albert-rivera-presidente-ciudadanos-elecciones_1_1261528.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ElDiario.es |language=es}} This led to the resignation of Albert Rivera as party president, who was succeeded by Inés Arrimadas.{{cite news |last=García de Blas |first=Elsa |title=Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera quits after election debacle |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/11/11/inenglish/1573467972_489207.html |work=El País |date=11 November 2019 |access-date=14 November 2019 |issn=1134-6582}}

In March 2021, Citizens, together with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, presented a surprise no-confidence motion in the Region of Murcia against their own regional coalition government with the People's Party.{{cite news|date=10 March 2021|title=Murcia government faces unexpected vote of no confidence and new female president|work=Murcia Today|url=https://murciatoday.com/murcia-government-faces-unexpected-vote-of-no-confidence-and-new-female-president_1568333-a.html}} The motion failed due to defection of several Ciudadanos deputies, and triggered a "political earthquake" across the country, leading to a number of high-ranking members abandoning the party.{{cite news|date=12 March 2021|title="Political earthquake" as PP and Cs party move apart|work=SUR|url=http://www.surinenglish.com/national/202103/12/political-earthquake-party-move-20210312104923-v.html}} In the aftermath, Cs also lost all its 26 deputies in Madrid in the 2021 Madrilenian regional election, and fell in country-wide polls from ≈7% support (≈10 deputies) down to ≈3% (≈1 deputy).

In September 2023, Francisco Igea and Edmundo Bal were expelled from Citizens for criticising the party's decision not to contest the 2023 Spanish general election. Igea did not appeal the decision and did not resign his seat.{{cite news |title=Ciudadanos expulsa a Edmundo Bal y a Francisco Igea|trans-title=Citizens expel Edmundo Bal and Francisco Igea |url=https://www.publico.es/politica/ciudadanos-expulsa-francisco-igea-edmundo-bal.html |access-date=9 April 2024 |work=Público |date=28 September 2023 |language=Spanish}} This left Cs without any seats in Spanish regional parliaments, outside of Catalonia. The party would lose all of its seats in the Parliament of Catalonia in the 2024 election, and all of its seats in the 2024 European Parliament election a month later. After the European Parliament election, the party was left with no members of the Congress of Deputies, Senate, European Parliament, or any regional parliament, but still retained 392 at the municipal level.

Citizens initially branded itself as a centre-left party holding social democratic and progressive liberal positions; the party was commonly described as social liberal in its early years{{Cite web |date=2016-04-20 |title=Los socioliberales - El otro escañoEl otro escaño |url=https://blogs.lavanguardia.com/el-otro-escano/los-socioliberales-80359 |access-date=2025-02-16}}{{Cite web |last=Dudda |first=Ricardo |date=2019-06-20 |title=El espacio de Ciudadanos |url=https://letraslibres.com/politica/el-espacio-de-ciudadanos/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Letras Libres |language=es}} and appealed to disillusioned members of the PSC who were strongly opposed to Catalan nationalism.{{cite news |date=10 February 2018 |title=Spain's centrist Ciudadanos are on the march |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2018/02/10/spains-centrist-ciudadanos-are-on-the-march |newspaper=The Economist |quote=His party was formed by disillusioned Catalan Socialists who disliked temporising with nationalists. Last year Mr Rivera repositioned it as a centrist, progressive liberal party.}}{{in lang|es}} [http://elpais.com/elpais/2010/11/24/actualidad/1290590221_850215.html «Cs es un partido progresista y constitucionalista»], El País However, the party removed any mention of social democracy from its platform by 2017, having joined the liberal ALDE group the previous year, and the party repositioned itself as a centrist, progressive liberal party.{{Cite web |last=Alonso |first=Mariano |date=2017-02-05 |title=Ciudadanos define el centro: liberalismo progresista, reformismo y aconfesionalidad |url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/2017-02-05/ciudadanos-define-el-centro-liberalismo-progresista-reformismo-y-aconfesionalidad-1276592082/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Libertad Digital |language=es-ES}} By 2018, the party was judged to have shifted towards centre-right liberalism in order to compete with the PP. Since 2020, the party has been described as shifting back to the centre,{{Cite web |date=2020-01-18 |title=Ciudadanos busca el "centro liberal progresista" y ya no señala al PP como "socio preferente" |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2020/01/18/5e230adefdddffef808b4602.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}} emphasizing liberal policies over its opposition to Catalan nationalism.

Cs is mainly regarded as a liberal party, known for its strong opposition to Catalan nationalism and its support of European federalism.{{Cite web |date=2014-07-15 |title=Citizens – Party of the Citizenship (C's) « Demsoc Europe |url=http://europe.demsoc.org/2014/05/20/citizens-party-of-the-citizenship-cs/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=europe.demsoc.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715001233/http://europe.demsoc.org/2014/05/20/citizens-party-of-the-citizenship-cs/ |archive-date=2014-07-15}} The party has also been variously described as progressive-liberal,{{Cite web |last=Carcedo |first=Jesús A. Marcos |date=2021-05-28 |title=Ciudadanos o las dificultades del liberalismo progresista en España |url=https://eladelantado.com/opinion/tribuna/ciudadanos-o-las-dificultades-del-liberalismo-progresista-en-espana/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |language=es}} conservative-liberal,{{cite book|author=Caroline Close|date=2019|chapter=The liberal party family ideology: Distinct, but diverse |title=Liberal Parties in Europe|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RceHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT431 |editor1-last=Close|editor1-first=Caroline |editor2-last=van Haute |editor2-first=Emilie |publisher=Routledge |pages=338–339 |isbn=9781351245487}} populist,{{cite book|author=Marco Damiani|title=Populist Radical Left Parties in Western Europe: Equality and Sovereignty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1zPNDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT97|year=2020|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-351-02264-4|page=97}}{{cite book|author1=Leonardo Morlino |author2=Francesco Raniolo|title=The Impact of the Economic Crisis on South European Democracies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T7uRDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA50 |year=2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-52371-2 |page=50}} and pro-European. Federico Finchelstein identifies Citizens with a light brand of "neo-liberal populism".{{Cite journal|url=https://www.clarin.com/opinion/nacionalismos-transatlanticos_0_ug1NvSNuA.html?fromRef=twitter|title=Nacionalismos transatlánticos|date=28 July 2019|journal=Clarín|author-link=Federico Finchelstein|first=Federico|last=Finchelstein}} Regarding its position on the political spectrum, the party places itself in the political centre{{cite news |last=García de Blas |first=Elsa |title=La nueva estrategia de Ciudadanos: presentarse como el "centro liberal progresista" contra los populismos |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2020/01/16/actualidad/1579197718_670025.html |newspaper=El País |date=18 January 2020}} and has been regarded as both centrist{{cite news |last1=Stothard |first1=Michael |date=6 February 2018 |title=Spain's centrist pro-unity party gains from Catalan chaos |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8dec6bc0-0a79-11e8-839d-41ca06376bf2 |website=Financial Times}}{{cite journal |last=Castillo |first=Jésus |date=18 March 2015 |title=Spain: Podemos, or how to square a circle |url=https://www.research.natixis.com/GlobalResearchWeb/Main/GlobalResearch/GetDocument/GeIV2mdXzfMZEToSr0qhNQ== |journal=Flash Economics, Economic Research |publisher=Natixis |page=2 |issn=2117-9387 |access-date=January 30, 2016 |quote=C's - Ciudadanos - Partido de la Ciudadanía (Citizens - Party of the Citizenry). Creation: 2006. Positioning: Republican centre |number=243}}{{cite news |author=RAPHAEL MINDER |date=2 December 2015 |title=Citizens made his way from the center and shakes to the political establishment in Spain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/universal/es/ciudadanos-se-abre-paso-desde-el-centro-y-sacude-al-establecimiento-politico-en-espana.html?_r=0 |access-date=13 April 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite news |author=Ashifa Kassam |date=10 December 2015 |title=Centre party Ciudadanos throws Spanish election results into question |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/centre-party-ciudadanos-throws-spanish-election-results-into-question |access-date=13 April 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian}} and centre-right.[http://www.ueapolitics.org/2015/03/30/after-syriza-whats-next-for-spain/ After Syriza: What's next for Spain?], Eastminster[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/22/protesters-march-against-austerity-measures-in-madrid Protesters march against austerity measures in Madrid], The Guardian{{cite news |last=Buck |first=Tobias |date=24 February 2015 |title=Rajoy promises jobs and growth as fringe parties gain ground |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5876fd4c-bc30-11e4-b6ec-00144feab7de.html#axzz3X0S9y9c2 |access-date=11 April 2015 |newspaper=Financial Times |quote=On the center-right, Ciudadanos is winning backing from former supporters of the PP, suggesting the ruling party's stranglehold on the conservative camp is drawing to an end}}{{cite journal |last=Triviño Salazar |first=Juan Carlos |year=2014 |title=Immigrant Organizations and the Politicization of Cultural Diversity in the City |url=http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/31979/AS03_2014_SS_Trivino.pdf |publisher=European University Institute-Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies |access-date=January 2, 2016 |quote=Party: Ciutadans (Cs) (Citizens). Left/right cleavage: Centre-right}}{{cite journal |last1=Gómez Fortes |first1=Braulio |last2=Urquizu |first2=Ignacio |date=September 23, 2015 |title=Political Corruption and the End of two-party system after the May 2015 Spanish Regional Elections |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281836078 |journal=Regional and Federal Studies |publisher=Routledge |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=379–389 |doi=10.1080/13597566.2015.1083013 |issn=1743-9434 |s2cid=153736868 |access-date=January 2, 2016 |quote=Yet the real change that makes these elections so groundbreaking has been the emergence of two change that makes these elections so groundbreaking has been the emergence of two new political forces in all the regional parliaments—one leftist party, Podemos, and one centre-right party, Ciudadanos—which have accounted for 20% of the regional vote and proved decisive in forming regional governments in the 17 autonomous communities, whether via coalition pacts, investiture agreements or legislative pacts}}{{Sfn|Medda-Windischer|Carlà|2015|p=178|ps=: «It should be said that not all political parties and social entities signed the Agreement: the People's Party (center-right) and Ciutadans (center-right, recently-created pro-Spanish party in the Catalan Parliament) rejected the Agreement on the basis that it had been conceived in a clearly nationalist fashion, whereas the NGO SOS-Racisme and the Trade Union Commissions Obreres considered the document not progressive enough».}}{{Sfn|Ancelovici|Dufour|Nez|2016|p=86|ps=: «The voters have been turning to either Podemos, a new radical left-wing party that grew out of the Indignados movement, or to Ciudadanos, a new center-right party that originated in Catalonia but has mobilized more broadly in recent years».}}{{Sfn|Ferrán|Hilbink|2016|p=144|ps=: «Ciudadanos is a center-right political party launched in Catalonia in 2006 by a group of self-styled intellectuals (who had published a “manifesto” in 2005) that extended across Spain after the Catalan elections of 2012».}}{{Sfn|Butler|2016|p=24|ps=: «On the centre-right of the political continuum, the Ciudadanos ('Citizens') party had less impact in the Basque Country or Navarre».}}{{Sfn|Cohen|Muñoz|2016|p=6|ps=: «A center-right party in Spain also emerged, which is called Ciudadanos (“Citizens”), whose base is primarily young and urban and whose focus for addressing income disparity and unemployment is by concentrating on growing the innovation economy in cities throughout the country».}} The party was previously also described as centre-left, in line with its ideario.{{cite journal|last=Delgado Ramos|first=David|year=2011|title=Elecciones al Parlament 2010: fin de ciclo en Cataluña|url=http://e-spacio.uned.es/fez/eserv/bibliuned:DerechoPolitico-2011-80-508r0/Documento.pdf|language=es|journal=Revista de Derecho Político|publisher=UNED|volume=80|access-date=28 May 2015|quote=El incremento se produjo a costa del PSC, donde en algunos de sus tradicionales «feudos» su electorado optó por votar a Ciutadans como opción «españolista» y de centro-izquierda más adecuada para no votar a su otra opción, el Partido Popular, más alejada ideológicamente de sus postulados.}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}{{cite journal|last=Gutiérrez Díez|first=José Manuel|title=A case of misreckoning: the Catalan election of 2012|journal=BORDA: Working Papers (University of Salamanca)|date=January 2014|url=http://gredos.usal.es/jspui/bitstream/10366/122471/3/Misreckoning.pdf|access-date=8 August 2015|quote=Cs (Ciudadanos). Catalan party (in practice), without reference in Spain. Centre-left}}[http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=1029863687&Country=Spain&topic=Politics Catalan vote sends mixed messages] - Economist Intelligence Unit{{cite news|title=Latest poll shows support for new party Podemos leveling out|first=Anabel|last=Díez|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/02/09/inenglish/1423471168_219529.html|newspaper=El País|date=9 February 2015|access-date=5 May 2015|quote=new left-wing party Podemos and the center-left non-nationalist Catalan formation Ciudadanos are faring well in the polls}}{{in lang|es}} [http://www.bcn.cat/estadistica/castella/dades/telec/eur/eurue/ceurue34.htm «Cs Ciudadanos Centro-izquierda»], Ayuntamiento de Barcelona[http://www.directe.cat/noticia/76245/ciutadans-ja-es-veu-amb-grup-parlamentari-propi-al-nou-parlament Ciutadans ja es veu amb grup parlamentari propi al nou Parlament] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092953/http://www.directe.cat/noticia/76245/ciutadans-ja-es-veu-amb-grup-parlamentari-propi-al-nou-parlament |date=18 May 2015 }} - Directe!cat

Cs displays a political discourse mainly centered around opposition to Catalan nationalism{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/11/26/inenglish/1353954830_869405.html|title=Pro-Spain Ciutadans group demands Mas step down as regional premier|newspaper=El País|date=26 November 2012|access-date=22 May 2013}} and the Catalan independence movement,[http://www.cronicaglobal.com/es/notices/2015/02/rivera-hemos-visto-documentos-que-demuestran-que-ciu-se-ha-estado-llevando-una-parte-de-las-comisi-15882.php Rivera: "Hemos visto documentos que demuestran que CiU se ha estado llevando una parte de las comisiones de obras en Cataluña"], Crónica Global{{sfn|Auzias|Labourdette|2014|p=31|ps=: «Enfin, Ciutadans (C's), avec 9 députés au parlement, s'oppose aux nationalistes et défend le modèle de l'Etat des autonomies».}} to the extent that it has been frequently criticised as a single-issue party.{{cite news|url=http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2013/08/17/catalunya/1376770776_741778.html|language=es|author=Lluís Orriols|newspaper=El País|date=13 August 2013|access-date=28 February 2014|title=Ciutadans, ¿un partido de izquierdas o de derechas?}} As an originally Catalan party, it specifically opposes Catalan nationalism due to viewing it as an outdated, authoritarian and socially divisive ideology which fuels hatred among both Catalans and Spaniards. Former party leader Rivera used the phrase "Catalonia is my homeland, Spain is my country and Europe is our future" to describe the party's ideology.{{Cite web |date=2015-11-26 |title=10 frases para conocer a Albert Rivera |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/11/26/564b01b9ca474179578b4596.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}}

Cs defines itself as a postnationalist party and criticises any sort of nationalism, "including the Spanish nationalism that Mr. Ynestrillas defends".{{in lang|es}} [http://www.diariocritico.com/chats/albert-rivera/118], Diario Crítico However, it has been deemed by a variety of sources to profess a Spanish nationalist ideology.{{cite web|url=https://www.ara.cat/es/opinion/Josep-Ramoneda-Nacionalismo-cinismo_0_1910809112.html |title=Nacionalismo y cinismo |publisher=Ara.cat |date=2017-11-21 |access-date=2018-05-21}}{{cite web |url=https://www.eldiario.es/zonacritica/Adonde-va-nacionalismo-espanol_6_742335782.html |title=¿Adónde va el nacionalismo español? |publisher=Eldiario.es |date=2018-02-20 |access-date=2018-05-21}} In a party conference held on 20 May 2018 to present its platform España Ciudadana, Rivera said in a hall filled with Spanish flags:

I do not see reds and blues, I see Spaniards. I do not see, as they say, urban people and rural people, I see Spaniards. I do not see young or old, I see Spaniards. I do not see workers and entrepreneurs, I see Spaniards. I do not see believers or agnostics, I see Spaniards. [...] So, compatriots, with Citizens, let's go for that Spain, let's feel proud of being Spaniards again.{{cite tweet |user=Albert_Rivera |number=998190850504093696 |date=20 May 2018 |title=Recorriendo España yo no veo 'rojos' y 'azules', veo españoles; no veo jóvenes y mayores, veo españoles; no veo creyentes y agnósticos, veo españoles. Vamos a unirnos para recuperar el orgullo de pertenecer a esta gran nación. #EspañaCiudadana}}{{cite web|url=http://www.publico.es/tremending/2018/05/20/susto-de-las-redes-con-albert-rivera-ha-hecho-un-discurso-peligrosisimo-que-sento-las-bases-de-cosas-espantosas-el-siglo-pasado/ |title=Susto de las redes con Albert Rivera: "Ha hecho un discurso peligrosísimo que sentó las bases de cosas espantosas el siglo pasado" |publisher=Publico.es |date=2018-05-20 |access-date=2018-05-21}}

One of the main issues raised by the party is the Catalan language policy which actively promotes the use of the Catalan language as the sole working language in Catalan public administration.{{cite web|url=http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/Ajuntament/menuitem.0af6dcf550d619e1f747f747a2ef8a0c/?vgnextoid=6d809706e27b7310VgnVCM10000072fea8c0RCRD&vgnextchannel=49ea2abc5e8aa210VgnVCM10000074fea8c0RCRD&vgnextfmt=formatDetall&lang=en_GB|title=City Council of Barcelona: "Catalan will continue to be the Council's working language"|publisher=City Council of Barcelona|access-date=22 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522124524/http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/Ajuntament/menuitem.0af6dcf550d619e1f747f747a2ef8a0c/?vgnextoid=6d809706e27b7310VgnVCM10000072fea8c0RCRD&vgnextchannel=49ea2abc5e8aa210VgnVCM10000074fea8c0RCRD&vgnextfmt=formatDetall&lang=en_GB|archive-date=22 May 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1648174/0/albert-rivera-25n-elecciones/ciutadans-ciudadanos/independencia-cataluna-catalunya/l|title=Albert Rivera, Ciutadans candidate: "An independent Catalonia would fail"|language=es|newspaper=20 minutos|date=15 November 2012|access-date=22 May 2013}} The party challenges this policy and defends equal treatment of the Spanish and Catalan languages. It also opposes the current language policy within the Catalan educational system in accordance with which all public schooling is delivered in Catalan.

Although reconsidering the current head of state is not a priority for the party, Rivera has said that Citizens is "a republican party which claims that Spanish citizens are who have to decide whether they prefer a once-modernized monarchy or a republic through a referendum in the context of a constitutional reform".[http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/albert-rivera-ciutadans-ciudadanos-monarquia-santa-sede-religion-4120910 Albert Rivera: "Si un día la Monarquía no sirve, nosotros decidiremos"], El Periódico[http://www.ccma.cat/324/Albert-Rivera-president-de-Ciutadans-proposa-un-debat-sobre-monarquia-o-republica/noticia/1696593/ Albert Rivera, president de Ciutadans, proposa un debat sobre monarquia o república], CCMA[http://www.elmundo.es/loc/2014/07/11/53beacdde2704e3c5d8b4582.html Albert Rivera: 'Sigo soltero'], El Mundo

Cs supports a renewed State of Autonomies without concessions to separatism.{{Cite web |date=2016-12-17 |title=Ciudadanos renuncia a la socialdemocracia para disputar el centro derecha al PP |url=https://www.elespanol.com/espana/politica/20161216/178733055_0.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=El Español |language=es}} The party wants to reform the electoral system with the aim of creating greater proportionality that would give less weight to single constituencies. Regarding the chartered autonomous communities' tax regimes, the party does not want to remove the Basque Country's and Navarre's chartered regimes because they're protected by the Constitution. However, it criticises what it calls the miscalculation of the quota or contribution which is negotiated between governments and has been causing significant differences that they regard as having become outrageous.{{in lang|es}} [http://vozpopuli.com/actualidad/57135-futuro-incierto-en-pais-vasco-y-navarra-para-podemos-upyd-y-ciudadanos-quitaran-los-fueros Futuro incierto en País Vasco y Navarra para Podemos, UPyD y Ciudadanos: ¿quitarán los fueros?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220152103/http://vozpopuli.com/actualidad/57135-futuro-incierto-en-pais-vasco-y-navarra-para-podemos-upyd-y-ciudadanos-quitaran-los-fueros |date=20 February 2015 }} - Vozpópuli It proposes a review and a recalculation of the Navarrese and Basque Economic Agreements in order to stop the Basque Country and Navarre being "net beneficiaries".{{in lang|es}} [http://noticias.lainformacion.com/politica/partidos/ciutadans-propone-revisar-el-cupo-vasco-y-navarro-reformando-la-constitucion_UMoGiJbBfzVX6o2mkHCfj4/ Ciutadans propone revisar el cupo vasco y navarro reformando la Constitución] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220165729/http://noticias.lainformacion.com/politica/partidos/ciutadans-propone-revisar-el-cupo-vasco-y-navarro-reformando-la-constitucion_UMoGiJbBfzVX6o2mkHCfj4/ |date=20 February 2015}} - Lainformación.com{{Cite web |first1=Isabel |last1=Morillo |first2=Carlos |last2=Sánchez |date=2018-02-08 |title=Ciudadanos abre una guerra con Madrid y pide mantener el impuesto de sucesiones |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/economia/2018-02-08/ciudadanos-impuesto-de-sucesiones-donaciones-patrimonio-financiacion-autonomica-ccaa-tipos-cupo-concierto-pais-vasco-navarra-andalucia_1518780/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=elconfidencial.com |language=es}}

Cs supports the legalization of euthanasia.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-18 |title=El Congreso aprueba el derecho a la eutanasia por 202 votos a favor frente a 141 en contra |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2021/03/18/605312b9fc6c834a2e8b4605.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}} It is the only party in Spain to openly advocate the legalization of altruistic gestational surrogacy.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-30 |title=CS vuelve a registrar en el Congreso su ley para regular una subrogada "altruista", "garantista" y con "límite de edad" |url=https://www.europapress.es/epsocial/igualdad/noticia-cs-vuelve-registrar-congreso-ley-regular-subrogada-altruista-garantista-limite-edad-20230330142924.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |publisher=Europa Press}} Among other policies, they also support the regularisation of prostitution,{{Cite web |last=OBJECTIVE |first=THE |date=2022-06-07 |title=Ciudadanos se opondrá «radicalmente» a la ley del PSOE para abolir la prostitución |url=https://theobjective.com/espana/2022-06-07/ciudadanos-ley-psoe-prostitucion/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=THE OBJECTIVE |language=es}} the legalisation of cannabis{{Cite web |date=2018-10-25 |title=Las dos Españas del cannabis: Podemos y Ciudadanos a favor, PP y PSOE en contra |url=https://www.elmundo.es/papel/historias/2018/10/25/5bd08ff3468aeb4e588b463d.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-06 |title=Ciudadanos pide regular el consumo "recreativo" del cannabis de forma simultánea al medicinal |url=https://www.elespanol.com/espana/politica/20220606/ciudadanos-regular-consumo-recreativo-cannabis-simultanea-medicinal/678182509_0.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=El Español |language=es}} and LGBT rights, including homosexual adoption.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-28 |title=Ciudadanos regresa este año al Orgullo LGTBI tras el boicot sufrido en 2019 |url=https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-ciudadanos-regresa-este-orgullo-lgtbi-tras-boicot-sufrido-2019-202106281716_noticia.html?ref=https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-ciudadanos-regresa-este-orgullo-lgtbi-tras-boicot-sufrido-2019-202106281716_noticia.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Diario ABC |language=es}} The party supports liberal feminism.{{Cite web |last=Canela |first=Joan |date=2019-03-03 |title=Ciudadanos presenta su "feminismo liberal": a favor de la gestación subrogada y contra el lenguaje inclusivo |url=https://www.publico.es/politica/ciudadanos-presenta-feminismo-liberal-favor-gestacion-subrogada-lenguaje-inclusivo.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.publico.es |language=es}}

Cs supports lower taxation{{Cite web |last=LM/Agencias |date=2018-09-12 |title=Ciudadanos, primer partido que propone bajar impuestos para abaratar la luz |url=https://www.libremercado.com/2018-09-12/ciudadanos-primer-partido-que-propone-bajar-impuestos-para-abaratar-la-luz-1276624736/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Libre Mercado |language=es-ES}} and wants to harmonize the inheritance tax in the entire country.

Cs supports the creation of a European army.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-03 |title=Programa electoral de Ciudadanos para las elecciones europeas 2024 |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elecciones/elecciones-europeas/2024/06/03/665de4ede85ecec4498b4596.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=ELMUNDO |language=es}} The party is currently a supporter of European federalism.{{cite web|last=Terry|first=Chris|website=The Democratic Society|date=20 May 2014|url=https://www.demsoc.org/2014/05/20/citizens-party-of-the-citizenship-cs/|title=Citizens{{snd}} Party of the Citizenship (C's)|access-date=24 December 2019|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224161231/https://www.demsoc.org/2014/05/20/citizens-party-of-the-citizenship-cs/|url-status=dead}}

File:Seu ciutadans carrer Balmes 2015.jpg. From 2015 to 2017 it also served as its Central HQ before its relocation to Madrid.]]

The party's national coordinators were known as its Organizational secretaries until 2023.

In the Ninth European Parliament, Ciudadanos sat in the Renew Europe group with six MEPs,{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197779/JOSE+RAMON_BAUZA+DIAZ/home|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|date=16 November 1970}}{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} Jordi CAÑAS {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/126644/JORDI_CANAS/home|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|date=12 December 1969}}{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} Luis GARICANO {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197554/LUIS_GARICANO/home|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} María Soraya RODRÍGUEZ RAMOS {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/4344/MARIA+SORAYA_RODRIGUEZ+RAMOS/home|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197784/SUSANA_SOLIS+PEREZ/home|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} Adrián VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA {{!}} MEPs {{!}} European Parliament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/204400/ADRIAN_VAZQUEZ+LAZARA/home|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|date=5 May 1982}} sharing group with Emmanuel Macron's La République En Marche! (LREM), the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Dutch Democrats 66 (D66).{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=Todos los partidos que forman 'Renovar Europa', el grupo de Ciudadanos en las elecciones europeas |url=https://www.ondacero.es/elecciones/europeas/todos-partidos-que-forman-renovar-europa-grupo-ciudadanos-elecciones-europeas_202406076662c25dfc83ee0001dae42d.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=OndaCero |language=es}} The party had been a member of its predecessor, the ALDE group, in the previous legislature.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-17 |title=El grupo liberal en la Eurocámara admite a UPyD y Ciudadanos con el voto en contra de CDC y PNV |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-grupo-liberal-eurocamara-admite-upyd-ciudadanos-voto-contra-cdc-pnv-20140617191304.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |publisher=Europa Press}} C's has been a member of the ALDE party since 4 June 2016. On 27 October 2018, Citizens' pressure led to the expulsion of Carles Puigdemont's Catalan European Democratic Party from ALDE due to its history of corruption.{{Cite news |last=Sánchez |first=Álvaro |date=2018-10-27 |title=El partido liberal europeo expulsa al PDeCAT por su historial de corrupción |url=https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/10/27/catalunya/1540635464_963410.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}}

{{POV|date=October 2018}}

In 2006, the newspaper El Periódico de Catalunya revealed that Rivera was a card-carrying member of the conservative People's Party (PP) between 2002 and 2006 and that he had left the PP only three months before running for election in Citizens. This was corroborated by {{lang|es|El Mundo}} and El País.{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/11/22/espana/1164203240.html|title=Albert Rivera estuvo afiliado en el PP hasta tres meses antes de presidir Ciutadans|author=Mundinteractivos|work=elmundo.es|access-date=September 27, 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2006/11/23/espana/1164236408_850215.html |title="El presidente de Ciutadans militó en el PP hasta abril de 2006" (The president of Ciutadans was a PP member until April 2006) |newspaper=El País |date=22 November 2006 |access-date=23 November 2006}} Despite these revelations, Rivera denied having been a full member of PP and implied that he had voted for the PSOE until recently.{{cite web|url=http://www.ciutadans-ciudadanos.com/news.php?id_pagina=23&id_post=1794|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928000019/http://www.ciutadans-ciudadanos.com/news.php?id_pagina=23&id_post=1794|title=Ciutadans - Partido de la Ciudadanía - Comunicats|archive-date=September 28, 2007|work=ciutadans-ciudadanos.com|access-date=September 27, 2015}} Past PP membership is common among Cs members. Former PSC activist Juan Carlos Girauta had joined the PP{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/especiales/2004/03/espana/14m/candidatos/circuns/gerona.html|title=Untitled Document|work=elmundo.es|access-date=September 27, 2015}} and became a prolific contributor to conservative journalism from his Libertad Digital column{{cite web|url=http://www.liberalismo.org/bitacoras/3/5272/juan/carlos/girauta/explica/|title=liberalismo.org: La Hora de Todos: Juan Carlos Girauta se explica|website=www.liberalismo.org}} before becoming a Citizens member and candidate in the 2014 European election.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.es/catalunya/politica/20140222/abci-nart-girauta-punset-candidatos-201402221716.html|title=Nart, Girauta y Punset, candidatos de Ciudadanos a las elecciones europeas|author=abc|work=ABC.es|date=22 February 2014|access-date=September 27, 2015}} During his long tenure as Libertad Digital columnist and COPE debater, Girauta expressed strong sympathies for right-wing Zionism (to the point of calling then-President Zapatero an antisemite){{cite web|url=http://www.libertaddigital.com/opinion/juan-carlos-girauta/el-presidente-y-el-gobierno-antisemitas-32524/|title=Juan Carlos Girauta - El presidente y el gobierno, antisemitas|date=July 21, 2006}} and lent credibility {{Cite web|url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/opinion/ideas/quien-era-realmente-salvador-allende-i-1276230025.html|title=¿Quién era realmente Salvador Allende? (I)|first=Juan Carlos|last=Girauta|date=26 April 2005|website=Libertad Digital|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/opinion/ideas/quien-era-realmente-salvador-allende-y-ii-1276230060.html|title=¿Quién era realmente Salvador Allende? (y II)|first=Juan Carlos|last=Girauta|date=3 May 2005|website=Libertad Digital|access-date=15 February 2021}} to the now discredited book by Victor Farías{{cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/opinion/victor-farias-y-su-fobia-contra-salvador-allende/2007-01-29/200622.html|title=Victor Farías and his phobia against Salvador Allende|publisher=/www.lanacion.cl|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611121420/http://www.lanacion.cl/noticias/opinion/victor-farias-y-su-fobia-contra-salvador-allende/2007-01-29/200622.html|url-status=dead}} dismissing socialist politician Salvador Allende as a racist and a social Darwinist, without clarifying that the quotations about genetic determinism in Allende's doctoral dissertation were themselves quotations from other authors (mostly Cesare Lombroso) or the fact that Allende was highly critical of these conclusions in his thesis which was later published as a rebuttal to Farías' position.{{Cite web |url=http://www.elclarin.cl/pdf/tesis_sag.pdf |title=Salvador Allende: Mental Hygiene and Delinquency (Doctoral Thesis) |access-date=27 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142737/http://www.elclarin.cl/pdf/tesis_sag.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} Farías was later sued for this,{{in lang|es}} [http://www.elclarin.cl/fpa/pdf/p_180406.pdf Extracts] from the suit filed by the Fundación Salvador Allende. but Girauta never retracted his statements.

In 2015, a member of the Citizens electoral list for Gijón to the city council and regional elections posted pro-Falangist, pro-Blue Division and pro-Hitler Youth messages on Facebook.{{cite web|url=http://www.elplural.com/2015/05/14/admirador-de-hitler-falangista-y-candidato-de-ciudadanos-en-gijon|title=Admirador de Hitler, falangista y candidato de Ciudadanos en Gijón|first=Cecilia|last=Guzmán|date=May 14, 2015}} Those same elections carried news of at least five other former card-carrying Falange and/or España 2000 members.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/elecciones-municipales-y-autonomicas/2015-05-13/otros-dos-falangistas-se-cuelan-en-las-listas-de-ciudadanos-en-murcia_793376/|title=Otros dos simpatizantes de Falange Española de las JONS se 'cuelan' en las listas de Ciudadanos|date=13 May 2015|website=El Confidencial|access-date=15 February 2021}}

Prominent meetings of the party have been reportedly picketed by Catalan separatist groups on several occasions.{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/06/05/espana/1149535287.html|title=Agreden al periodista Arcadi Espada en un acto de Ciutadans de Catalunya en Girona contra el Estatut|work=elmundo.es|access-date=27 September 2015}} Its leader Albert Rivera has received anonymous death threats urging him to quit politics. Two members of the ERC Youth were sentenced to prison for it.{{cite web|url=http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/279725/0/presidente/ciutadans/amenazado/|title=El presidente de Ciutadans, amenazado de muerte por "luchar contra el nacionalismo"|work=20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias|date=21 September 2007|access-date=27 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/papel/2007/09/22/espana/2210168.html|title=Orbyt - El Mundo|work=elmundo.es|access-date=27 September 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/presidente/Ciutadans/denuncia/haber/recibido/amenazas/muerte/elpepiesp/20070922elpepinac_8/Tes|title=El presidente de Ciutadans denuncia haber recibido amenazas de muerte|author=Ediciones El País|work=El País|date=21 September 2007|access-date=27 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lavanguardia.es/lv24h/20070921/53396278806.html|title=Albert Rivera denuncia amenazas de muerte para que deje su política "contra el nacionalismo"- Lavanguardia.es – Noticias, actualidad, última hora en Cataluña y España|access-date=10 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127025344/http://www.lavanguardia.es/lv24h/20070921/53396278806.html|archive-date=27 January 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-acusados-amenazar-muerte-rivera-aceptan-ano-diez-meses-carcel-20090616171225.html|title=Los acusados de amenazar a Rivera aceptan un año y diez meses de cárcel|date=June 16, 2009|publisher=Europa Press|access-date=27 September 2015}} Members of Ciudadanos have repeatedly taken part in violent attacks on Catalan targets{{cite web|url=https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/un-grup-dultres-que-tornava-duna-manifestacio-espanyolista-agredeix-passatgers-del-metro-de-barcelona/|title=Agressions ultres a Barcelona després de la manifestació espanyolista|website=VilaWeb|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171116/432924690542/identificadas-seis-personas-agresiones-manifestaciones-espanolistas.html|title=Identificadas seis personas por agresiones en manifestaciones españolistas|date=16 November 2017|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/politica/ultras-espana-agreden-catalunya-radio_1_3098192.html|title=Ultras por la unidad de España agreden a varias personas y atacan la sede de Catalunya Ràdio|first=elDiario es|last=Catalunya|date=27 October 2017|website=ElDiario.es|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnacional.cat/es/politica/ciudadanos-pp-manifestacion-ciutadella_299928_102.html|title=Agresiones y presencia de extrema derecha en la concentración de Cs contra la violencia|website=ElNacional.cat|date=29 August 2018 |access-date=15 February 2021}} and far-right and ultranationalist groups are usually present in their demonstrations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lasexta.com/noticias/nacional/representantes-de-pp-ciudadanos-y-vox-encabezan-la-manifestacion-de-sociedad-civil-catalana-en-favor-del-12-de-octubre_201810125bc06f410cf29c130f5e93cd.html|title=Representantes de PP, Ciudadanos y VOX encabezan la manifestación de Sociedad Civil Catalana en favor del 12 de Octubre|date=12 October 2018|website=LaSexta|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eldiario.es/navarra/tension-alsasua-inicio-espana-ciudadana_1_1857584.html|title=Humo, tensión, estiércol y campanas: rechazo en las calles de Alsasua al acto de Ciudadanos con PP y Vox|first=Miguel M.|last=Ariztegi|date=4 November 2018|website=ElDiario.es|access-date=15 February 2021}} In one instance, a Telemadrid cameraman was assaulted, allegedly because he was mistaken for a member of Catalan broadcaster TV3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccma.cat/324/agredit-un-camera-de-telemadrid-a-crits-de-fora-tv3-a-la-manifestacio-de-la-ciutadella/noticia/2872996/|title=Tensió i agressions en la concentració de Ciutadans contra els llaços grocs|date=29 August 2018|website=CCMA|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.telemadrid.es/noticias/sociedad/Identificado-agresion-camara-Telemadrid-Barcelona-0-2066793305--20181112104646.html|title=Identificado el autor de la agresión a un cámara de Telemadrid en Barcelona|date=12 November 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20180830/451537019890/agresion-camara-telemadrid-ciudadanos-lazos-amarillos.html|title=El cóctel que provocó la agresión al cámara de TeleMadrid|date=30 August 2018|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=15 February 2021}}

An altercation took place in Canet de Mar on 21 Ma, 2018 between pro-independence local residents, who had planted yellow crosses on the beach to honor imprisoned and fugitive politicians; and anti-independence individuals who decided to remove said crosses. The altercation left at least three people wounded, including an 82-year-old man and a local CUP councilor who explicitly accused Citizens and Falange militants from across the whole region to be among the provocateurs. Citizens Member of Parliament Carlos Carrizosa dismissed the claim that either "councillors or party activists" from the party were involved in the incidents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnacional.cat/en/politics/hooded-unionists-barcelona-beach_270531_102.html|title=Hooded unionists remove yellow crosses at Barcelona beach, injuring five|website=In English|date=21 May 2018 |access-date=15 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/maresme/20180521/443753905998/un-enfrontament-entre-independentistes-i-unionistes-a-canet-de-mar-acaba-amb-una-trentena-didentificats-i-cinc-ferits.html|title=Un enfrontament entre independentistes i unionistes a Canet de Mar acaba amb una trentena d'identificats i cinc ferits|date=21 May 2018|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=15 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.capgros.com/actualitat/maresme/c-s-nega-que-hi-hagues-militants-del-partit-entre-els-encaputxats-a-canet-de-mar_714800_102.html|title=C's nega que hi hagués militants del partit entre els encaputxats a Canet de Mar|website=Capgròs|access-date=15 February 2021}} Four days later and despite admonishments and warnings by President of the Parliament Roger Torrent, Carrizosa himself removed a yellow ribbon from the seats reserved for absent Cabinet ministers, forcing the President to suspend the entire session.{{cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20180525/443815164044/roger-torrent-suspende-pleno-parlament-lazo-amarillo-carrizosa.html|title=Roger Torrent suspende el pleno del Parlament después de que Carrizosa retire un lazo amarillo|date=25 May 2018|website=La Vanguardia|access-date=15 February 2021}}

During the 2006 Catalan election campaign, the party's president Albert Rivera appeared completely naked in a poster in order to attract publicity to the party.{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/Desnudo/presidir/Generalitat/elpporesp/20060916elpepunac_4/Tes |title=Desnudo para presidir la Generalitat |newspaper=El País |date=16 September 2006 |access-date=10 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/09/16/espana/1158417149.html |title=El partido Ciutadans de Catalunya presenta desnudo a su candidato a las autonómicas |publisher=elmundo.es |access-date=10 July 2014}} In the beginning, the party frequently complained about an alleged boycott on the part of Catalan media. In their opinion, the party was given too little airtime to present its views on the Catalan public television.{{cite news |last=Robles |first=Fermín |title=El CAC pide que se regule la publicidad institucional |url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cataluna/CAC/pide/regule/publicidad/institucional/elpepiespcat/20081009elpcat_9/Tes/ |newspaper=El País |date=9 October 2008 |access-date=10 July 2014}}

In 2009, it was announced that Cs would run for the European election allied with the Libertas coalition. The party's association with Declan Ganley's Libertas platform raised some concern on account of the coalition formed by the latter with nationalist and ultranationalist parties in each of its local European chapters, seemingly at odds with the professed ideology of Cs.{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/05/06/barcelona/1241589601.html |title=Albert Rivera acusa a Robles y Domingo de buscar el fracaso de Ciutadans |publisher=elmundo.es |access-date=10 July 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2009/05/15/actualidad/1242375424_850215.html |title=Dos de los tres diputados de Ciutadans se unen para destronar a Rivera |newspaper=El País |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=10 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.libertaddigital.com/nacional/miguel-duran-cabeza-de-lista-de-la-coalicion-ciudadanos-libertas-1276356455/ |title=Miguel Durán, cabeza de lista de la coalición Ciudadanos-Libertas |publisher=Libertad Digital |date=15 April 2009 |access-date=19 July 2014}}

Several intellectuals that had participated in the formation of Ciutadans later withdrew their support. For example, Albert Boadella became one of the co-founders of the Union, Progress and Democracy (UPyD) party led by former Basque Socialist politician Rosa Díez.

According to some members of Cs, the negotiations prior to this electoral pact were led personally and secretly by the party leader Albert Rivera. This alienated the other two MPs (besides Rivera himself) and a significant part of the party from his leadership.{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/diputados/Ciutadans/unen/destronar/Rivera/elpepuesp/20090515elpepunac_8/Tes |title=Dos de los tres diputados de Ciutadans se unen para destronar a Rivera |newspaper=El País |date=2009-05-15 |access-date=2014-07-10}} In turn, the official stance of Cs is that the critics are using the dispute as a pretext to canvass support for the ideologically similar UPyD.{{cite news |last=Garriga |first=Josep |title=Ciutadans acusa a Rosa Díez de azuzar la revuelta contra Rivera |url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cataluna/Ciutadans/acusa/Rosa/azuzar/revuelta/Rivera/elpepuespcat/20090519elpcat_9/Tes |newspaper=El País |date=19 May 2009 |access-date=10 July 2014}}

The party's economic spokesman, Toni Roldán, announced that he was leaving Citizens on June 24, 2019, in protest at the party's drift to the right and its alleged willingness to enter alliances with the far-right after regional and municipal elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/24/key-figure-in-spains-citizens-party-quits-over-far-right-alliance|title=Spain's Citizens party under pressure over far-right deals|first=Sam|last=Jones|newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 June 2019|access-date=15 February 2021|via=www.theguardian.com}} Following Roldán's resignation, MEP Javier Nart and the Asturian leader Juan Vázquez stepped down as well, leaving their political offices in the party's committee and the Asturian Parliament, respectively.{{cite web |title=Javier Nart sigue los pasos de Toni Roldán y dimite de la ejecutiva de Ciudadanos |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2019-06-24/toni-roldan-portavoz-economico-de-ciudadanos-deja-el-partido_2085426/ |language=es |work=El Confidencial |date=24 June 2019}}{{cite web |title=Juan Vázquez, candidato de Cs a la Presidencia de Asturias se suma a las dimisiones de Roldán y Javier Nart |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-juan-vazquez-candidato-cs-presidencia-asturias-suma-dimisiones-roldan-javier-nart-20190624182925.html |language=es |publisher=Europa Press |date=24 June 2019}}

Some days later, Francesc de Carreras, one of the party founders, and Francisco de la Torre, MP and economist, also announced that they would leave the party due to its stances against the PSOE and supposed inclination to alliances with the far-right.{{cite news |last=García de Blas |first=Elsa |title=Francesc de Carreras: "Ciudadanos ha evolucionado hacia un nacionalismo español contrario a su ideario" |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2019/07/18/actualidad/1563475103_446954.html |work=El País |date=19 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019 |issn=1134-6582 |language=es}}{{cite news |last=García de Blas |first=Elsa |title=Dimite de la dirección de Ciudadanos el diputado Francisco de la Torre por la estrategia de Albert Rivera |url=https://elpais.com/politica/2019/07/25/actualidad/1564079817_799649.html |work=El País |date=26 July 2019 |access-date=28 July 2019 |language=es}}

This crisis came after French President Emmanuel Macron's government sent a warning to Citizens, with which his En Marche! party shared membership in the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, over its alleged willingness to work with the far-right Vox.{{cite web |last=Garcia Valdivia |first=Ana |title=Ciudadanos: Spanish Liberal Party Alliance With Far-Right Provokes Macron's Government Rejection |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anagarciavaldivia/2019/06/19/ciudadanos-spanish-liberal-party-alliance-with-far-right-provokes-macrons-government-rejection/ |website=Forbes |date=19 June 2019 |access-date=1 July 2019}}

A credit was requested for party funding in 2015 to Banco Popular Español, up to 2017 an IBEX 35 member.{{cite web |title=¿Quién financia a Ciudadanos? El partido de Rivera gastó 250.000 euros en Andalucía |url=http://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/Ciudadanos-Albert_Rivera-Juan_Marin-Elecciones_22M-Andalucia_0_792520742.html |url-status=dead |date=29 March 2015 |access-date=27 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215054051/http://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/Ciudadanos-Albert_Rivera-Juan_Marin-Elecciones_22M-Andalucia_0_792520742.html |archive-date=15 December 2017}}{{clarify|The claim on the Banco Popular being an IBEX 35 up to 2017 is not in the provided source (which dates from 2015). Also, it is not explained how it is relevant to the party's funding, and such a connection is not provided in the source either|date=May 2018}}

In 2017, the Court of Audit found irregularities in the accounting books of several political groups, Citizens among them. In respect of Citizens, the irregularities included illegal expenses for advertising on local television in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.publico.es/politica/financiacion-tribunal-cuentas-ciudadanos.html|title=El Tribunal de Cuentas plantea reducir la subvención electoral a Ciudadanos por realizar gastos no autorizados en 2015|website=www.publico.es|date=12 June 2017 |access-date=15 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.publico.es/politica/financiacion-partidos-tribunal-cuentas-rechaza-contabilidad-ciudadanos.html|title=El Tribunal de Cuentas rechaza la contabilidad de Ciudadanos|date=30 December 2017}}

Cs member Jorge Soler appeared in December 2017 on the TV3 debate Preguntes Freqüents, during which journalist {{ill|Beatriz Talegón|es|Beatriz Talegón|ca|Beatriz Talegón Ramos}} addressed him about the 2.1 million euros spent by Cs in the 21-D Catalan election campaign—higher than the budget spent by any other party on that election. Talegón inquired about the sources of this funding. Soler replied that this ample budget could be ascribed to the austerity of their party.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UMpQLQGPGE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/1UMpQLQGPGE |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Soler explains the honesty and transparency of Citizens.|website=YouTube |date=24 December 2017}}{{cbignore}}

{{notelist}}

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