The political party that broke away to prioritize people over platforms

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2018, a major rift in Spain's Podemos party sparked a movement toward 'independent' politics. By choosing individuals over rigid party structures, Más Madrid emerged as a progressive force that redefined the left-wing landscape of the Spanish capital.

Más Madrid was born from a strategic and ideological schism within the Podemos party. In September 2018, incumbent Mayor Manuela Carmena announced she would seek re-election on a new platform rather than under the existing Ahora Madrid banner. This move was a direct response to attempts by Podemos and United Left–Madrid to impose party quotas, which Carmena argued would replace her trusted municipal team with outside partisan figures.

The tension escalated in late 2018 when several prominent Podemos members withdrew from the party's primary elections to join Carmena’s platform as independents. This led to their suspension by Podemos leadership. By November 2018, Carmena officially launched Más Madrid as a 'democratic and progressive' entity formed by individuals rather than parties. The party eventually registered on February 7, 2019, utilizing unique selection methods like the Borda count for executive roles.

The party's trajectory has been marked by significant electoral milestones and internal friction. In 2019, it became the first group in Madrid to finish ahead of the People's Party since 1987, though a coalition government ultimately prevented Carmena from taking office. By 2021, Más Madrid became the second-largest force in the Assembly of Madrid, surpassing the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) as the region's primary left-wing vote.

The party’s identity remains distinct; data suggests its voters are typically younger and more educated than those of its rivals. However, it has faced internal challenges, including a 2021 split where four councillors departed over leadership discrepancies. Additionally, in 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled that the party had been unfairly excluded from the Assembly Bureau due to a lack of proportionality compared to the far-right Vox.

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