Citizens (Spanish political party)

Citizens (Spanish political party) is a liberal political party in Spain, founded in 2006 by Albert Rivera, Ignacio Aguado, and Juan Carlos Girauta. The party is known for its centrist and centre-right ideology, and has been a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party since 2016, alongside other parties such as the Free Democratic Party of Germany and the Democrats 66. Citizens has been led by Inés Arrimadas since 2017, who has been a key figure in the party's development, along with other prominent members like José Manuel Villegas and Marta Pascal.

● History

The history of Citizens began in 2006, when Albert Rivera and other Catalan politicians founded the party in response to the growing nationalism in Catalonia, led by parties like Convergence and Union and Republican Left of Catalonia. The party's early years were marked by its opposition to Catalan independence, and its support for Spanish unity, which aligned it with other parties like the People's Party (Spain) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. In 2014, Citizens gained its first seats in the European Parliament, with Javier Nart and Enrique Calvet being elected as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), joining the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group, which also includes MEPs from parties like the Liberal Democrats (UK) and the Radical Party of the Left. The party's growth continued in the following years, with Citizens winning seats in the Cortes Generales in 2015, and Inés Arrimadas becoming the party's leader in 2017, after Albert Rivera stepped down, and was succeeded by other leaders like Ignacio Aguado.

● Ideology

The ideology of Citizens is based on liberalism and centrism, with the party advocating for free market policies, social liberalism, and European integration, which aligns it with other parties like the Liberal Party of Canada and the Australian Labor Party. Citizens is also a strong supporter of Spanish unity, and has been a vocal opponent of Catalan independence and Basque nationalism, which has led to comparisons with other parties like the Union for the Mediterranean and the European People's Party. The party's economic policies are influenced by neoliberalism and ordoliberalism, and it has been a proponent of austerity measures and privatization, similar to parties like the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Conservative Party (UK).

● Organization

The organization of Citizens is based on a federal structure, with the party having regional branches in all autonomous communities of Spain, including Andalusia, Aragon, and Galicia. The party's national leadership is headed by Inés Arrimadas, who is assisted by a team of vice-presidents, including José Manuel Villegas and Marta Pascal. Citizens also has a strong presence in the European Parliament, where it is part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group, alongside other parties like the Party of European Socialists and the European People's Party. The party's youth wing is called Jóvenes Ciudadanos, and is affiliated with the European Liberal Youth and the International Federation of Liberal Youth, which also includes youth organizations from parties like the Liberal Party of Australia and the Democratic Party (United States).

● Electoral performance

The electoral performance of Citizens has been steadily increasing since its founding in 2006, with the party winning its first seats in the Cortes Generales in 2015, and Inés Arrimadas becoming the party's leader in 2017. In the 2019 Spanish general election, Citizens won 57 seats in the Congress of Deputies, making it the fourth-largest party in the Cortes Generales, behind parties like the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, the People's Party (Spain), and Unidas Podemos. The party has also performed well in regional elections, winning seats in the Parliament of Catalonia and the Basque Parliament, and has been part of coalition governments in several autonomous communities of Spain, including Valencia and Murcia.

● Controversies

Citizens has been involved in several controversies throughout its history, including criticism of its stance on Catalan independence and its support for austerity measures, which has led to comparisons with other parties like the Syriza and the Podemos. The party has also been accused of being too close to the People's Party (Spain), and of supporting neoliberal policies that have hurt working-class Spaniards, similar to criticisms faced by parties like the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Conservative Party (UK). In 2020, the party was involved in a controversy surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, with some critics accusing the party of being too slow to respond to the crisis, and of prioritizing economic interests over public health, which has led to comparisons with other parties like the Republican Party (United States) and the Liberal Party of Australia.

● International relations

Citizens has strong international relations with other liberal and centrist parties, and is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party and the Liberal International, which also includes parties like the Liberal Democrats (UK) and the Free Democratic Party of Germany. The party has also been a strong supporter of European integration and has advocated for a more federal Europe, similar to parties like the European People's Party and the Party of European Socialists. Citizens has also maintained good relations with other parties like the Democratic Party (United States) and the Liberal Party of Canada, and has participated in international events like the Liberal International and the European Liberal Forum, which also includes parties like the Radical Party of the Left and the Australian Labor Party.