‘We want to lead Spanish opposition’: Podemos

The head of Spain's ascendant anti-austerity party Podemos said in an interview published on Sunday he believes his movement can replace the Socialists as the country's main opposition group.

Published: 19 January 2015 09:05 CET

'We want to lead Spanish opposition': Podemos

Leader of Spain's Podemos party, Pablo Iglesias (centre in white shirt), in Seville on January 17th. Photo: Cristina Quicler/AFP.

Secretary general Pablo Iglesias told Spanish daily El País that voters will have to choose between Podemos and the conservative ruling Popular Party (PP) – not the veteran Socialist party (PSOE) – in the November election.

"The scenario taking shape for the general election shows there will be two choices: stay with the PP or choose the political change incarnated by Podemos," Iglesias said.

The Podemos leader also took a shot at the head of Spain's Socialist party, saying Pedro Sanchez "is lost, he is doubting."

Born of the movement against the austerity cuts put in place after Spain's real estate bubble burst in 2008, Podemos won five seats in the European parliament in May 2014.

Iglesias has also forged close ties with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras, who heads anti-austerity party Syriza.

The men are to appear at a Syriza rally in Athens on Thursday, three days ahead of snap elections expected to favour Tsipras's party.