Madrid - Spain's new party Ciudadanos and its promise of "reasonable change" has shuffled the cards in an election year following the emergence of the more radical Podemos by attracting the most sought-after voters -- those of the centre.
With the campaign for May 24 municipal and regional elections officially underway on Friday, Ciudadanos supporters were set to start putting up posters in Madrid and other cities at the stroke of midnight.
The party has climbed to third place with 19.4 percent support, ahead of Podemos and just behind the ruling conservative Popular Party and the Socialists, according to a poll published by Cadena Ser at the end of April. Podemos, which once topped polls, came in fourth.
Analysts predict Ciudadanos, headed by 35-year-old lawyer Albert Rivera, will play the role of kingmaker following a year-end general election if neither the Popular Party or the Socialists, who have alternated power since 1982, obtain an absolute majority.
Ciudadanos was founded in 2006 as an anti-independence party in Spain's wealthy northeastern Catalonia region but expanded nationwide this year as it has tapped into voter frustration with established parties.
The party, which picked up two seats in the European parliament last year, is fielding candidates in over 1,000 of Spain's 8,000 municipalities and in all 13 regions which are voting on May 24.
"We are a threat for corrupt politicians and those who do not want anything to change," says Rivera.
"There is no need to shout, insult and blame others for all of the nation's ills," he adds, alluding to Podemos and its frequent condemnation of "the caste", Spain's political and business elite.
"It is time to take action and make proposals," Rivera says.
Ciudadanos, which means "Citizens", has already presented a detailed party programme with estimated costs for its proposals.
AFP
