Miriam González Durántez, a Spanish lawyer and former EU adviser, has launched a new liberal, centrist party, Democracia21, in Spain. The party aims to provide voters with an alternative to the established socialist and conservative parties as the country prepares for a snap general election next month.
González Durántez, who is married to former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, stated that Democracia21 will offer a modern and transparent approach to politics, one that "doesn’t feed on fear, insults or nostalgia." The party's manifesto criticises both the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) and the rightwing People’s party (PP) for perceived political shortcomings.
Democracia21 has announced its intention to contest the election on 29 November in Madrid and Barcelona. González Durántez has addressed key issues such as the housing crisis, proposing to eliminate housing taxes for individuals under 35 and suggesting that young people earning €1,300 a month should not pay more than €350 in rent. She also defended the benefits of controlled immigration and Spain's role within the European project.