Spain’s left wing party Podemos is working to replicate the success found by the Syriza party in Greece. The group gained support after vowing to rework Spain’s debt deal with the European Union.
Dan Whitehead filed this report from Madrid.

Spain\'s bad economy boosts popular left-wing \'Podemos\'

Spain's left wing party Podemos is working to replicate the success found by the Syriza party in Greece. The group gained support after vowing to rework Spain's debt deal with the European Union. Dan Whitehead filed this report from Madrid.

Fed up with mainstream politics, Spaniards across the Iberian peninsula are forming groups called “circles” to vote on the the left wing party Podemos’ policies at a grass-roots level.

Thousands gathered in the Madrid plaza called Puerta del Sol in January. Podemos has ignited a renewed passion for politics in Spain.

The challenge for the party, which is only a little over a year old, is to figure out just how it would govern Spain if it wins the election later this year. The party is also struggling to locate enough office space to keep up with its rapid growth.

Podemos already has five seats in the European Parliament, with some polls reporting 30 percent of Spaniards could vote for them in the national election.

If Podemos is successful, they have promised to renegotiate Spain’s debts, increase wages and pensions.

With the Spanish economy now starting to show signs of recovery, some voters may withdraw their gamble on Podemos.