Podemos holds open primaries with Irene Montero as sole candidate for PM

Podemos has peine its primaries to choose joint candidacies for the next Spanish general election, a process in which Irene Montero is the only contender for Prime Minister. Voting closes on Thursday 15 October at 23:59 and the results will be published on Friday 16 from midday.

Podemos launched its open primaries this Wednesday, the mechanism through which the party hoped to build joint left-wing candidacies for the upcoming general election. Frente Amplio was invited to take part, but for the premiership only **Irene Montero**, Podemos's number two and a Member of the European Parliament, has put herself forward.

## Who can vote and when the results come out

The primaries are open: anyone could take part, both as a candidate and as a voter. There are open processes to choose candidates in other constituencies, even though **Irene Montero** is the only name on the premiership ticket.

Voting runs from this Wednesday until Thursday **15 October** at 23:59. The results will be published on Friday **16 October** from midday.

## Talks with Frente Amplio still ongoing

The clock is ticking. The deadline to register electoral coalitions ends this Friday night and, for now, there is no agreement between Podemos and the four parties that make up the **Frente Amplio** coalition: IU, Movimiento Sumar, Más Madrid and the comunes.

Frente Amplio had agreed to put former Barcelona mayor **Ada Colau** at the top of the list. This very Wednesday, Colau said she was willing to step aside so that Podemos could join the coalition.

## A contest with no rival for the top job

With Montero as the only contender for the premiership, the vote amounts to a de facto ratification for that post, while the remaining candidacies are decided constituency by constituency. Friday's result comes after the coalition registration deadline has closed, so the primaries picture and the negotiations with Frente Amplio are being watched with one eye on each.