People in Spain are being wooed by a new political party, Ciudadanos (Citizens), which is emerging as a political force in the country.
Led by charismatic Albert Rivera, 35, the movement is deemed centrist, against Catalan separatism, committed to the EU, and has not been shy in pointing out corruption in politics, particularly the ruling People’s party. Some have called it the ‘Podemos of the right’.
Interest in Podemos remains strong, but may have peaked as people veer more towards Ciudadanos.
Many of Spain’s inhabitants have had more than enough of the corruption allegations against the People’s party and that has driven up interest in the new group.
Its rise in opinion polls has been swift and it now commands as much popularity as Podemos, the conservative People’s party and the opposition Socialists.
The number who said they plan to vote for Ciudadanos has more than doubled from 8% in January to 18% in the latest Metroscopia poll for El País.
The same poll showed anti-austerity Podemos remains the lead choice of voters at 22.5%, down from 28% in February. The indications are that Spain is heading towards its most fragmented parliament since the country’s transition to democracy.
Some analysts say the rise of the two new parties, both with young and idealistic leaders, is down to despair amongst the country’s inhabitants of what the traditional bipartisan system has failed to deliver.
Ciudadanos has not held to the rigid classifications of left or right but has blurred distinctions and adopted policies from both camps.
Its economic plan includes tax credits for workers earning less than the minimum and labour reforms to end the increasing use of temporary contracts.
Ciudadanos has been active in Catalan politics for nine years, and said recently that it would field candidates across the country in municipal, regional and the general election.
