In Spain, Rapid Rise of Leftists Has a Familiar Ring
MADRID — He has promised to restructure the debt. He has said it is time to change laws “that allow the rich to keep stealing from us.” He has vowed that Brussels “cannot threaten us” and that “we don’t want any more heads of government who obey and don’t negotiate.”
If it sounds familiar, no, this is not in Greece. It is in Spain.
To many Spaniards, the man behind the statements, Pablo Iglesias, is known simply as “the one with the ponytail.”
But besides his hairstyle and penchant for discount clothing, Mr. Iglesias and his Podemos party are radically shaking up Spain’s political establishment, mirroring the ascent of Syriza, the far-left party that swept to power in Greece in January on a powerful anti-austerity message.
“I really never thought I could become president of the government, but I think we’re now in a situation where this could happen,” Mr. Iglesias said in a recent interview at his new party headquarters.
