Politics · Spain · 1 day ago
Podemos and ERC alliance attacks PSOE and rejects calls for a useful vote
Podemos candidate Irene Montero and ERC lawmaker Gabriel Rufián campaigned together in Madrid as part of an electoral alliance between their parties.
They said the PSOE government had failed to address problems including housing costs, food prices and insecure work, and blamed it for what they described as corruption involving former officials and associates.
The pair urged voters on the left not to back the PSOE simply to prevent a right-wing victory, arguing that this “useful vote” approach weakens other left-wing parties.
Their message challenges the Frente Amplio, a separate grouping that includes Sumar, IU, Más Madrid and Comuns, which they say is too close to the PSOE.
They called for a general strike on the 11th to protest what they see as the government’s inadequate response to public concerns.
Their proposed measures include lower rents, a public supermarket, a higher minimum wage and shorter working hours.
The alliance is campaigning around “peace, housing and work”, but the sources do not say what steps will follow the strike.
Podemos and ERC presented their electoral alliance in Madrid on November 7, criticizing the PSOE government and urging people to join a general strike on November 11.
Podemos candidate Irene Montero and ERC’s Gabriel Rufián accused the government of failing to address problems including housing costs, food prices and precarious work.
The alliance says it wants a left-wing force independent of the PSOE and rejects calls for voters to support the PSOE as a tactical choice.
Its proposals include lowering rents, creating a public supermarket, raising the minimum wage to €1,800 and reducing working hours.
- Who
- Podemos candidate Irene Montero and ERC’s Gabriel Rufián presented their electoral alliance.
- What
- They criticized the PSOE government and urged people to join a general strike. They also rejected calls for tactical voting for the PSOE.
- When
- November 7, 2026. The general strike they backed was scheduled for November 11.
- Where
- Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- They said the government had failed to address problems including housing and food costs, precarious work and the railway system.
Podemos-ERC alliance
PSOE
Voting strategy
Podemos-ERC alliance
The alliance urged voters to choose the left-wing option they want, rather than vote tactically for the PSOE.
PSOE
Montero said the PSOE was urging voters to support it as a useful vote.
Government response
Podemos-ERC alliance
The alliance accused the government of failing to act on key problems and called for a general strike.
PSOE
The articles do not report a response from the PSOE.
Montero and Rufián held an event together in Barcelona.
The Podemos-ERC alliance held its first joint event in Madrid and called for a general strike.
The general strike urged by the alliance was scheduled to take place.
- Alliance
- Podemos and ERC
- Madrid event
- November 7, 2026
- General strike date
- November 11
- Minimum wage proposal
- €1,800
- Campaign themes
- Peace, housing and work
2 sources
What people are saying
The PSOE, if it can, eats you.
You have to vote for what you want, what you feel, what you think, what you dream.
The Front are us.