Frente Amplio charges left-wing politicians with "golden spikes" and who "don't put on their bodies" to defend rights

Ada Colau, the presidential candidate for the broad left coalition known as Frente Amplio, launched a sharp critique against left-wing politicians who she described as having "golden beaks" while failing to physically engage in the defense of social rights. Speaking at a rally in Mostoles, a municipality south of Madrid, Colau urged supporters to fill the streets ahead of the general elections. She warned that the right wing would attempt to divide the working class by focusing on narratives of violence and insecurity. The event featured key figures from the coalition, including Emilio Delgado, the head of the list for Madrid; Toni Valero, the third-placed candidate and a reference point for United Left; and Ana Tejero, a councilwoman for More Madrid in the area. The comedian Ignatius Farray was among the audience members present. Colau defended recent social mobilizations, citing the 15M movement, the feminist marches of March 8, anti-war protests, demonstrations against the genocide in Palestine, and recent camps established to demand housing rights. Without mentioning specific disturbances in Barcelona, she argued that these movements represent the true pulse of society. She directed her criticism toward the right, specifically placing Madrid Regional President Isabel Diaz Ayuso within a group she characterized as elite and detached. Colau accused Ayuso of irresponsibly using terms like terrorism and violence to dismiss citizens protesting for public education and housing. In response, Colau stated that refusing to protect the majority of society is what truly generates insecurity. The candidate also targeted political leaders from both the right and the left whom she accused of enjoying privileged positions without showing up when it matters. She questioned who actually puts in the physical effort to defend health centers, stop evictions, or protect public schools. Colau called for less rhetoric and more action, challenging elites who prefer voters to remain resigned and depressed by poll results suggesting a right-wing victory. Her remarks included a direct rebuke of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party, or PSOE. She noted that while the party claims to manage inequality if it governs alone, it never combats the root causes or confronts speculators. Colau referenced her experience sharing local government with socialists in Barcelona to support this claim. She further mocked Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for projecting a friendly image during interviews while citing only measures forced upon him by alternative left forces as his management achievements. These include the minimum wage increase, labor reform, and housing decrees. Colau highlighted the case of Maria Carmen, an elderly woman who died after being evicted in Madrid, noting that she gave her life for such measures. She joked that she would ask Sanchez to occasionally express pride in initiatives driven by socialist ministers. Emilio Delgado, speaking alongside Colau, claimed that Frente Amplio had increased its voting intention by 17 percent. He ridiculed Albert Nunez Feijoo, the leader of the People's Party, describing him as not the sharpest pencil in the box. Delgado characterized Feijoo as an unexpected ally who stirs up controversy by discussing pension cuts and abortion rights. He asserted that even Feijoo's worst enemy could not devise such a roadmap. Delgado framed the upcoming election as a battle over wealth redistribution, pointing to protests in Albania, France, and Portugal, as well as the second round of Brazil's presidential elections, as evidence of this global struggle. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, Gabriel Ruffian of Republican Left of Catalonia and Irene Montero of Podemos held a joint rally in the Nou Barris neighborhood. Approximately 2,000 people attended the event, which operated under the slogan House, Life, Future. Both candidates called for subduing the PSOE from the left to ensure a government that guarantees dignified living conditions. Ruffian declared that regardless of names, the front is represented by them, directly referencing the Frente Amplio candidacy which includes groups such as Comuns, More Madrid, Sumar, and United Left. Montero criticized the political project of the right as one that takes money from everyone to give it to the rich, whereas Podemos aims to return it to the people. She dismissed the PSOE's strategy as limited to tweeting aggressively against the upper echelons. Montero warned that having a left wing in government that resembles the PSOE and appears on the same ballot in the Senate will not fix existing problems. She emphasized the need to lower rent prices, expropriate homes from vulture funds, raise the minimum wage to 1,800 euros, and reduce weekly working hours to 30. Ruffian reaffirmed his stance against submitting to the PSOE by joining it, instead advocating for simplifying the party offer. He referred to the PSOE as a creation of sovereignist forces, listing parties such as ERC, Podemos, EH Bildu, Compromis, and BNG as the drivers behind its current direction, notably omitting Sumar from this list. He rejected the idea of useful voting for the Catalan branch of the socialists, stating that ERC has been the most anti-fascist and useful force. His comments also targeted Junts per Catalunya, mocking their refusal to cooperate with ERC and questioning their magical thinking regarding fascism. Montero attacked Feijoo for proposing the elimination of the Ministry of Equality, labeling his stance as machism that kills. She argued that voting for the People's Party equates to voting for violence and the enslavement of women. She expressed shock at Feijoo claiming to be a feminist because he was raised by women, asking why men were absent during that upbringing. The two candidates agreed that the current system does not function, particularly regarding the residential crisis. They committed to making the first law passed by a potential government one that lowers rents and prohibits speculation. Ruffian acknowledged that it is positive for the PSOE to discuss housing now, given that the right had previously blocked related decrees, but reminded them that they have governed for eight years and could have done much more.