Montero's Primary Offer: IU Sees "Turnaround" as Left Unites for Spain's Next Election

Izquierda Unida (IU) leader Antonio Maíllo has welcomed what he calls a strategic "turnaround" by Podemos, after Irene Montero proposed open primaries to choose a single left-wing candidate for Spain's next general election. Speaking on Tuesday, Maíllo said Podemos had shifted from refusing to negotiate with IU — which it once called part of a "government of war" — to offering to join a shared selection process. "I value the turn Podemos has taken," he said. "They have made a leap of responsibility that should be celebrated." The dispute dates back to spring 2025, when IU proposed open primaries to pick a joint left-wing candidate for Andalusia's regional election. Podemos joined that coalition late and did not take part in the primary process. Last Sunday, Podemos named Montero as its candidate for the general election. She then called for open primaries "open to anyone" to select one candidate for the whole confederal left. Maíllo said IU has spent two years arguing that any new broad left front must be built democratically, with primaries if parties cannot agree on a candidate. He added that the left must agree on a candidate and a joint brand "this month or in October." On the voting process, Maíllo proposed building a new voter roll from scratch. Under this plan, members and supporters of all progressive parties would register individually, rather than each party declaring how many voters it holds. IU designed a similar system for Andalusia, using a ranked voting method known as Dowdall and a web platform to boost participation. IU's federal council approved a resolution in March urging Sumar, Comuns and Más Madrid to speed up the selection of a successor to Yolanda Díaz, who resigned as head of the left-wing coalition's ticket on February 25. Six months later, that space remains unfilled, while Podemos has moved first. Maíllo also commented on ERC leader Gabriel Rufián, who has been mentioned as a possible consensus candidate. "Rufián's problem is that he won't take his cap off," Maíllo said, meaning Rufián has not decided whether to become a federal leader. Maíllo said the two have never spoken in person about the idea and that he does not expect Rufián to leave ERC. The two parties still differ on method. Podemos objected in Andalusia to starting the voter roll "from zero," saying it undervalued its own members. IU and Podemos also count votes differently: IU uses a purely proportional system, while Podemos uses the "Desborda" method, which rewards winners more heavily than IU's preferred Dowdall system.