Miriam Gonzalez Durantez presents Democracy21 candidacy for Spain’s election

Lawyer Miriam Gonzalez Durantez presented Democracy21’s election project in Madrid on October 10. The party intends to contest the November 29 snap parliamentary election in Madrid and Barcelona.

Gonzalez Durantez advocated overcoming the division between left and right and reducing political influence over public institutions. She argued that rivalry between the Socialists and the conservative People’s Party obstructs consensus.

An international and European trade lawyer, Gonzalez Durantez is married to former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. The public presentation of her candidacy followed the party’s creation, which Spanish media had already reported in July.

Reuters reported that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the snap election after parliament rejected measures addressing the housing crisis. The agency said polls pointed to a possible combined majority for the People’s Party and Vox, a projection rather than an election result.

Gonzalez Durantez blamed both the governing coalition and the opposition, which controls many regions, for the shortage of affordable homes. She accused authorities of insufficient construction and excessive regulation. Those claims represent her assessment of the crisis.

Central government sets nationwide housing legislation, incentives and subsidies. Implementation and much urban planning depend on regional and municipal authorities. Against that backdrop, the new party proposes cooperation instead of deeper ideological confrontation.