Irene Montero on 14 September 2026 has reiterated her call for open primaries to select a joint left-wing candidate in Spain. The MEP and former equality minister of Podemos had already announced on 12 September 2026 in Madrid that she intended to stand in an open primary to secure a mandate to lead an alliance to the left of the PSOE .
Montero is advocating a process not limited to party members. She proposes open primaries, in which as broad a section of the electorate as possible can take part and figures from outside Podemos can also stand. The aim is to bring fragmented left-wing forces together ahead of the expected 2027 general election. In recent remarks, she described the idea as a way to break the left’s impasse and “give society a voice”.
In practical terms, the two public announcements—on 12 September and the confirmation on 14 September 2026—mark the start of an organised primary project. No official details have yet been provided on the arrangements, timetable or oversight of the primaries. It also remains unclear whether other groups such as Sumar will join in or prefer their own processes. The PSOE, as the larger governing party, is outside this primary proposal.
The strategic rationale behind Montero’s proposal is clear: an open process could provide renewed legitimacy and mobilise supporters beyond established party boundaries. Observers also point to risks. Open primaries can attract attention and boost participation in the short term, but risk sharpening divisions within the left if the rules, data security and arbitration procedures are not clearly defined. In Spain, experience with internal party or open selection processes varies; their impact depends greatly on the breadth of participation and acceptance of the results.
If the plan goes ahead, three points will be crucial in the coming weeks: first, a robust organisational framework with transparent registration; second, agreement on eligibility for candidates from within and outside Podemos; and third, a political roadmap defining how to work with other left-wing actors and develop a shared programme. Only once these issues are clear will it be possible to assess whether open primaries can achieve the hoped-for unifying effect or will simply become another stage in the competition between Podemos and Sumar.
The statements come amid the current political debate; no formal election date has been called. They are relevant across Spain because they concern the configuration of the left and could potentially shape the way the opposition to the left of the PSOE selects its candidates.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).