# Irene Montero Challenges Tactical Voting Ahead of November 29 Elections Podemos leader launches independent campaign focusing on radical policy shifts and voter conviction. - **Source:** [El Mundo – España](https://www.elmundo.es/espana) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1b56df42-994f-47f5-a42c-20a3560cbaf3 ## Independent Campaign Launch Irene Montero has officially launched her candidacy for the November 29 elections under the banner "Irene," deliberately omitting the Podemos name and logo. This strategic move aims to distance the party from its traditional branding while focusing on the slogan "Peace, home, and work" to attract voters in a difficult political climate. ## Rejecting Tactical Voting Montero is actively campaigning against the concept of "useful voting," which encourages left-wing supporters to back larger parties like the PSOE or Frente Amplio to block right-wing coalitions. She argues that voters should prioritize their personal convictions over pragmatic calculations, claiming that tactical voting serves only to maintain the status quo. ## Strategic Alliance Formed To improve her chances of securing seats in Congress, Montero has formed a strategic alliance with Gabriel Rufián. The two figures plan to campaign together, hoping that their combined influence will create a drag effect. Current polls suggest the party is struggling, with some estimates indicating they may fail to secure any seats. ## Economic Policy Proposals The campaign centers on radical economic reforms, including a proposal to raise the minimum wage to 1,800 euros. Montero explicitly criticized the current official proposal of 1,286 euros, labeling it insufficient for living. She advocates for aggressive taxation of the wealthy to fund public services and improve general living standards for citizens. ## Core Social Demands Beyond wages, Montero’s platform emphasizes structural changes such as lowering rental prices and establishing a public supermarket chain. She also proposes capping food prices and halting military spending, arguing that current government measures are merely patches. She insists that only bold, systemic interventions can address the deep inequalities present in society. ## Challenging the Status Quo Montero directed sharp criticism at the PSOE and Pedro Sánchez, accusing them of failing to solve citizens' problems while simultaneously demanding votes. She maintains that the political establishment prioritizes protecting the interests of the powerful. Her rhetoric aims to mobilize disillusioned voters who feel that traditional political parties have abandoned their promises. ## The Survival Challenge Podemos faces its most difficult electoral test to date after splitting from the Frente Amplio unity list. The party is fighting for survival, with internal projections showing that even Montero’s own seat is not guaranteed. The campaign relies heavily on her personal leadership to overcome the significant electoral hurdles currently facing the party. ## Future Political Implications The outcome of the November 29 election will determine the future influence of Podemos in the Spanish Congress. By rejecting conventional party unity, Montero is betting on a high-stakes strategy that emphasizes ideological purity over coalition pragmatism. Observers will watch to see if this individualistic approach can successfully mobilize the left-wing base. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.elmundo.es/elecciones/elecciones-generales/2026/11/05/6aec7c26e4d4d8ac478b4582.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._