The debate format dispute

On Thursday, 22 October, Irene Montero, Podemos candidate in the general election on 29 November, said the democratic course is for people to hear and know every option on the ballot. Her remarks came amid a clash over how the leaders should debate before the vote. PSOE has accepted a head-to-head between Pedro Sánchez and Alberto Núñez Feijóo on 16 November, but on a private channel. The Socialists also want the four-way debate, which would include the leaders of Vox and Frente Amplio, to air on TVE rather than Atresmedia, the channel the PP had proposed. Montero put it this way:

“What is democratic is for people to be able to hear and know all the options.”

The PP rejected a four-way format on the public broadcaster and accused the Socialists of attempting a boycott of Atresmedia. Party sources noted that Pedro Sánchez had been willing to debate on that channel three years earlier. PP sources closed the matter flatly, saying there will be no four-way debate on RTVE. Montero, for her part, urged voters to stop blaming their problems on the person beside them or on those below, and to look upward instead, which she said is what is at stake before 29 November.

Colau's question on El perro andaluz

Ada Colau, the Frente Amplio candidate and former mayor of Barcelona, appeared on Thursday on El perro andaluz, the La 1 programme presented by Manu Sánchez, which broadcast a special edition from Bilbao. The show had asked her to record a question for Montero, and Colau asked her to choose between two options. Colau framed the comparison as a question of different ways of understanding power, and she said Montero would have plenty of time to think about her answer.

“I would simply ask her to choose between two options: Game of Thrones or Friends.”

Montero, who joined the programme by video call, had about 45 minutes to prepare and answered with humour that she chooses Friends. She recalled Compañeros as the series she liked most as a child, a remark that fit the announced return of Compañeros to Atresmedia with a follow-up featuring some of its original cast. Montero's answer was delivered on the live broadcast, and the programme's presenter then said he would interview Montero in the studio the following week.

Seven deadly sins and the Frente Amplio

The programme also asked Colau to match politicians with the seven deadly sins. She assigned exhibitionism to Pablo Iglesias, citing the way he had publicly explained he would not join Frente Amplio. Gabriel Rufián received gluttony after Colau accused him of promising left unity for more than a year before going off to dine alone. Pedro Sánchez was assigned sloth over housing, where she said the PSOE had not moved far enough despite its commitments. Colau declined to assign a sin to Mónica García, saying she did not like talking about sins between women as feminists, and she picked lust for herself.

Colau said the 15 formations in Frente Amplio had reached an agreement to run together, and she placed responsibility for the absence of others on those who chose not to join.

“Some have wanted to go alone, so let them answer for it.”

She also said she had turned down ministerial posts and a European Parliament candidacy before returning to politics, because of public demand for unity on the left.

What comes next

Manu Sánchez said he will interview Montero in the studio next week, while still waiting to learn whether Pedro Sánchez accepts his invitation to the programme. The head-to-head proposed for 16 November remains on a private channel, and the four-way format is still in dispute between TVE and Atresmedia. The general election is set for 29 November.