# Podemos and ERC Leaders Challenge PSOE Strategic Voting Narrative Irene Montero and Gabriel Rufián urge voters to prioritize political memory over tactical voting. - **Source:** [20minutos](https://www.20minutos.es) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6c3f0e6d-3f5d-4280-b168-f0b8d91319cd ## Strategic Voting Rejection Irene Montero of Podemos and Gabriel Rufián of ERC held a joint rally in Madrid to challenge the PSOE's appeal to strategic voting. They argue this tactic is designed to absorb leftist support without delivering meaningful change. Both leaders urged citizens to vote based on personal conviction and political memory instead. ## Critique of PSOE Tactics Montero characterized the PSOE's strategy as a long-standing method to consume the political left. She claimed that while the party fails to solve structural problems during its four-year terms, it demands tactical support during elections. This approach, she argues, forces voters to support options that do not align with their interests. ## Tension with Frente Amplio Rufián explicitly criticized the Frente Amplio, suggesting that their alignment with the PSOE and Yolanda Díaz represents a strategic error. He argued that the movement should not submit to the PSOE or attempt to replace existing political spaces. Rufián emphasized that his party, ERC, remains the true representative of the left. ## Housing and Wealth Policy Addressing the housing crisis, Rufián proposed aggressive taxation on companies with large profits. He explicitly stated that housing should not be treated as a speculative asset for investment. The leaders pledged to be uncompromising against those who prioritize financial gain over the basic human right to secure, affordable residential housing. ## Market Intervention Concerns Rufián criticized the government's decision to force olive oil producers to withdraw 12% of their production from the market. He questioned the timing of this intervention, noting that the government failed to act when prices were alarmingly high. He argued that such policies favor corporate interests over the general public's needs. ## Corruption and Political Integrity Montero accused the traditional bipartisanship in Spain of being indifferent to corruption, provided it remains hidden from public view. Rufián reinforced this sentiment, asserting that the left must maintain strict ethical standards. He contrasted their own political principles against the perceived financial interests that drive the actions of their opponents. ## Symbolism and Political Unity The rally featured symbolic coordination, with both leaders wearing yellow sweaters to signify their alignment. This event follows a previous meeting in Barcelona, with plans for a third gathering in Madrid. The visual display aimed to project a united front between the two parties against the dominant political establishment in Spain. ## Call for Political Memory The event concluded with a call for voters to remember the actions of those who served in the Council of Ministers. By focusing on past performance rather than electoral promises, the leaders hope to mobilize their base. They maintain that true political power lies in voting for one's genuine, long-term convictions. ## Sources covering this story - [20minutos — Montero and Rufián Urge Voters to Reject PSOE Strategic Voting](https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/irene-montero-rufian-animan-votar-con-memoria-obviando-voto-util-psoe-si-puede-te-come_7058511_0.html) - [Europa Press — Montero and Rufián Urge Voters to Reject Strategic Voting](https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-montero-rufian-animan-votar-memoria-conciencia-obviando-voto-util-psoe-si-puede-te-come-20261107134413.html) - [El País – Portada — Irene Montero and Ada Colau Rally Left-Wing Support Before General Elections](https://elpais.com/espana/elecciones-generales/2026-11-07/irene-montero-llama-a-secundar-la-huelga-en-su-presentacion-con-rufian-en-madrid-hay-que-paralizar-el-pais.html) - [elDiario.es — Rufián and Montero Rally for General Strike Against PSOE Influence](https://www.eldiario.es/politica/rufian-montero-llaman-secundar-huelga-paralizar-pais-defienden-izquierda-no-sometida-psoe_1_13646217.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._