Spanish lawyer Miriam González Durántez has launched a new centrist political party, Democracia21, ahead of the snap general election scheduled for November 29. The party aims to provide voters with an alternative to the country’s two dominant parties, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the People’s Party (PP).

González Durántez, a former European Union adviser and spouse of former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, positioned Democracia21 as a liberal and modern movement, emphasizing transparency and a break from divisive politics. The party’s manifesto criticizes both the PSOE and PP for years of mismanagement, including unaffordable housing, youth emigration, bureaucratic expansion, and political infighting.

The new party is responding to widespread public dissatisfaction with the political establishment amid ongoing corruption scandals. The PP’s previous government was toppled due to corruption cases, and the current PSOE administration under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces related allegations involving his inner circle. Democracia21 calls for a “radical political cleanup,” promising increased transparency in party operations as part of its platform.

González Durántez announced that Democracia21 will contest seats in Madrid and Barcelona, focusing on key voter concerns such as the housing crisis and immigration. The issue of housing gained national attention last month when the eviction of an 87-year-old in Madrid triggered protests across Spain. In response, Sánchez’s minority government attempted emergency measures, which were rejected by right-wing parties, leading to the announcement of the snap election.

At the party launch event, González Durántez accused both PSOE and PP of neglecting the housing crisis. She noted that although the PSOE has held power nationally for eight years and the PP governs 80% of Spain’s regional administrations, they only prioritize housing issues during election campaigns when public protests intensify.

Democracia21 thus enters the electoral contest aiming to capitalize on voter frustration with entrenched political parties and address challenges such as affordable housing and immigration through a reformist and transparent approach.