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Spanish parties to hold political congresses over weekend

Xinhua, February 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

The ruling People's Party (PP) and left-wing Podemos both hold their party congresses over the next three days, it was reported Friday.

The PP Congress comes just over three months after it returned to power in Spain as the head of a minority government.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy aims to use the national congress of his party to strengthen internal organization. For example, some party members such as Maria Dolores de Cospedal, currently occupies the positions of secretary general, regional president of Castilla-La Mancha and minister of defense.

Rajoy is expected to push for the creation of an "office for public accusations" to deal with corruption cases against party members.

Meanwhile, Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias and party spokesman Pablo Errejon will battle to lead the party. Iglesias announced that if he loses, he will not only step down as leader, but also renounce his seat in Congress.

Iglesias has been the public face of Podemos since its foundation in March 2014, and wants the party to maintain its traditional close links to community groups. Analysts say Errejon sees the party holding a more parliamentary role, softening its image and moving closer to the political center in order to be seen as the main opposition party. Endit