Pablo Iglesias wins big majority at Podemos party conference

Pablo Iglesias, leader of radical-left-wing Podemos, strengthened his hold on the party at last weekend's conference in Madrid.

At the so-called 'Vistalegre II' meeting of party members, he won 89 per cent of the leadership vote and his supporters won over fifty per cent of the votes for all the party's internal committees.

This was a disappointment for the number two in the party, Íñigo Errejón, who had presented an alternative set of ideas for the future direction of the party after both men had failed to seal a shared policy platform ahead of the meeting.

Although Errejón didn't stand against Iglesias as leader, he had sought to win a majority of places for his supporters on the 'Consejo Ciudadano' (people's council). In the end, his wing of the party took 33 per cent of the vote and this week, following 'Vistalegre II', he has demanded that 40 per cent of the still-to-be-formed party executive committee is made up his supporters.

Disagreement on direction

Iglesias and his supporters prefer that the party stays closer to its roots as a popular street movement with a more radical agenda.

In contrast, Errejón believes that the party has a better chance of winning power by working within established political processes. In addition, Iglesias favours setting up a 'shadow cabinet' of named policy spokespeople, whereas Errejón is against giving everybody a title.

It is now up to the 'Consejo Ciudadano' to decide if Errejón stays on as party number two.

Observers have commented that the swing back to a more radical Podemos could strengthen the conservative PP government's position. In parliament this week, the newly-invigorated Iglesias was seen arguing vociferously across the chamber with government MPs.