The Podemos candidate for the general elections on November 29, Irene Montero, has accused the PSOE of blocking her formation’s participation in the electoral debates and has demanded that the socialists correct course. Her criticism comes after Pedro Sánchez’s party proposed this Monday that it be the Television Academy that is in charge of organizing a debate between the candidates for the Presidency of the Government.
"The PSOE is blocking Podemos from participating in the electoral debates. But are these elections meant to stop the far right or to silence the left? We ask the PSOE to correct course. Even if we make it uncomfortable for them, the enemy is the ones up above," Montero said.
The purple leader is calling for Podemos to have its own presence at the televised events of the campaign, apart from the participation of Frente Amplio. The formation believes that both candidacies should be represented according to their electoral results and their political weight.
Supports that the Television Academy organize the debate
Despite Montero’s criticism, Podemos has welcomed favorably the PSOE proposal to entrust the Television Academy with organizing an electoral debate, a formula that has already been used in previous calls.
"We think it’s the best option," sources from the party say, which convey their willingness to cooperate with the institution so the meeting can take place.
The formation offers to "participate, starting tomorrow itself," in all the work necessary to prepare the debate and agree on its conditions.
Podemos understands that the Academy’s intervention could allow for Irene Montero’s presence, after Atresmedia rejected including her in the debate it is preparing for next November 26.
According to the sources consulted, this formula "opens the door for Irene Montero to be able to participate," although there is still no confirmation that the candidate will be invited.
Montero calls for a debate with Podemos and Frente Amplio
The main demand of the purple party is that the debate not be limited to the candidates of the main state-level formations and that it include the different left-wing forces that are running separately in the elections.
Specifically, Podemos argues that both Irene Montero and the Frente Amplio candidacy should have their own presence, considering that the electoral results and the representativeness of both options justify their participation.
"We trust that the rest of the parties do not hinder the holding of a plural debate and we make ourselves available to the Televisión Academy team to outline our participation in the debate", sources from Podemos conclude.
The controversy occurs four days before the official start of the electoral campaign for 29N, with the main televised debates still pending being definitively finalized in terms of their formats and participants.
For the moment, the accusation of obstruction comes from Irene Montero and it has not been accredited that the PSOE has formally vetoed her participation. The socialist proposal to turn to the Televisión Academy has the backing of Podemos, but the composition of a possible debate will depend on the agreements that its organizers and political parties reach.