On 8 March, ALDE’s Spanish member Ciudadanos elected Inés Arrimadas as the party’s new leader. In this role, she succeeds Albert Rivera.

With three candidates – Inés Arrimadas, Francisco Igea and Ximo Aparic – running for the position, Arrimadas became the first woman in the history of Spain to head a nationwide political party. Arrimadas secured 77% (9.781 votes) of the votes with other candidates gaining 22% (2.572 votes) and 0,7% (94) of the votes respectively.

A law graduate, Arrimadas led Ciudadanos into victory in Catalonia in the 2017 regional elections, and in 2019, she became the Ciudadanos spokesperson in the national parliament.

“We will work tirelessly so that together we return the same hope to millions of people in the future. We look to the future together and onward!”, Arrimadas stated following her election.

In addition to electing a leader, the party also elected a new executive board, including Catalonian MP Marina Bravo as Secretary General, Melisa Rodriguez as national spokesperson as well as Carlos Cuadrado and Joan Mesquida as first Vice-Presidents. Jordi Canas MEP is also a member of the new executive board.