Led by Miriam González Durántez, the new political project puts democratic renewal, institutional reform and social mobility at the centre of its call for a different kind of politics.
Spain has a new political contender. On 10 October 2026, Democracia 21 launched at Domo 360 in Madrid, setting out its ambition to offer an alternative to the polarisation that has come to dominate Spanish politics.
Led by Spanish lawyer Miriam González Durántez, the party wants to break what it describes as the “rigid two blocs” of Spain’s political system. Its message is that politics should move beyond entrenched divisions and focus on finding solutions that improve people’s lives.
At the core of the political programme is "regenerating Spanish democracy," with the party’s agenda focusing on institutional reform, fighting corruption, modernising public administration and restoring social mobility, especially for younger generations.
With snap elections called for 29 November, Democracia 21 plans to contest seats in Madrid and Barcelona. The two constituencies are its first step towards a broader national presence, with ambitions to field candidates in all provinces in the future.
At the launch, González Durántez called on Spain’s political leaders to “set aside our ideological differences, to stand united and to work together to safeguard democracy and modernise the country”.
For ALDE Party, Europe needs more reformist forces willing to challenge the status quo, overcome polarisation and turn citizens’ concerns into meaningful change.
About Miriam González Durántez:
Miriam González Durántez is a Spanish lawyer specialising in EU law and international trade. She holds extensive experience in the European institutions having led international negotiations and business. She served in the cabinets of two EU External Relations Commissioners and led international trade practices in London.
She founded Inspiring Girls, a global initiative promoting gender equality, and launched España Mejor in 2023, a non-partisan organisation encouraging citizen participation in policymaking. A graduate of the University of Valladolid and the College of Europe, she is a frequent commentator on Spanish and European affairs.
You can watch her full speech from Democracia 21’s launch here.
This article was contributed to by Daniela Morales Garcia, Senior Policy Adviser at ALDE Party.