Miriam González launches Democracia21 with housing and political reform at heart of election bid

Lawyer Miriam González Durántez has introduced Democracia21, a political party running ahead of Spain’s 29 November general election, with a focus on housing and political reforms. The new party aims to contest elections in Madrid and Barcelona, with plans to expand nationwide in future elections. González, an international trade and EU lawyer, seeks to unite political opponents, strengthen democratic institutions, and address everyday issues.

She is launching Democracia21 amid political turmoil in Spain, following a snap election called by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez following parliament's rejection of measures to tackle the housing crisis. Opinion polls indicate the right-wing People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox could secure a parliamentary majority together.

González decried the current political landscape dominated by two rigid blocs with no consensus, urging Spaniards to set aside ideological differences and work together to safeguard democracy and modernize the country. Despite comparisons with the failed Ciudadanos (Cs) party, González has refrained from defining her project as center-left, centrist, or center-right, stating she aims to unite people across political divisions rather than recreate an earlier party.

Housing is a pivotal aspect of Democracia21's agenda, with González blaming both the ruling coalition and the opposition, which controls most regional administrations, for housing shortages and unaffordable prices. She accuses politicians of failing to develop land for housing and imposing excessive regulations that have doubled construction costs.

To address the issue, she suggests a national program to build new neighborhoods, remove housing-related taxes for individuals under 35, and establish a sovereign fund for affordable housing using unspent Next Generation EU funds. González also proposes cutting the number of political advisers by 90%, strengthening civil service recruitment based on merit, and abolishing special legal privileges and public subsidies for political parties and foundations.

Additionally, she advocates meeting constituents at least every two weeks, similar to the British model. On immigration, she emphasizes migration as an asset for Spain while maintaining strict control over entry and departure. González's education proposals include more flexible university degrees and greater access to work placements.

Her economic plan favors removing obstacles to entrepreneurship. Born in Valladolid in 1968, González is the daughter of two teachers and granddaughter of farmers. She studied in Belgium on a scholarship and developed an international legal career. She founded the charity Inspiring Girls and led the Spanish civic platform España Mejor, which led to her entry into party politics.