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Almodóvar calls for unity against conservatives

The famous Spanish director has joined more than 100 artists in signing a letter putting pressure on left-wing parties to form a "popular front" against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s ruling conservative party in the end of year elections.

Almodóvar calls for unity against conservatives
Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. Photo: Divine Decor / Flickr Creative Commons.

Iconic Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar, as well as actress and mother of Javier Bardem, Pilar Bardem were among the more than 120 artists who signed an open letter on Monday calling on left-wing “forces of political change” to unite against the conservative ruling Popular Party (PP).

The letter comes as left-wing Podemos party leader Pablo Iglesias has been grappling with election strategies, butting heads with fellow left-wing party, the United Left (Izquierda Unida, IU), according to newspaper El Mundo.

Iglesias has said that he is opposed to a “left-wing front” because that is “what the enemy wants” in order to win.

On the other hand, IU has worked on creating a list of candidates across liberal parties with the  Ahora en Común, Now in Common, campaign. This has ruffled the feathers of Iglesias who sees it as a threat that could split the vote.

The artist’s manifesto seemed directed at the Podemos leader in their call for a united force.

“We return to the belief that together and with the best of each group, we can change this country and return it to the people,” the letter states.

“The people would not understand why people would put the flags of their parties over the interests of the citizens and the possibility of change in these general elections. … We cannot permit four more years of evictions, uncertainty and inequality.”

Podemos political secretary Íñigo Errejón said on Monday that “It is not a good idea to confuse a political majority for change with a union of leftist parties”. 

Almodóvar, known for his films such as All About My Mother, Volver and The Skin I Live In, as well as his “muses” such as Penelope Cruz, was a key figure in La Movida Madrileña, a left-wing countercultural movement that swept the Spanish capital after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. 

 

 

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