Podemos: "We've accepted the challenge of winning the general elections"

BRAND-NEW independent party Podemos says Spain's bipartite political system is 'starting to write its final chapter' and is celebrating the election results as the first step on the way to 'irreversible changes'.

Leader Pablo Iglesias, a 36-year-old university lecturer who started Podemos 18 months ago in a borrowed garage in Madrid, was among the first party boss to speak out publicly after the full recount of the ballots.

Iglesias says his team has 'accepted the challenge' of winning the general elections in November and governing Spain.

The left-wing independents did not run for local elections in many town councils and, where they did, they did not use the party's title - they opted to use alternative names for their local circles, or for members to stand as independent candidates in parties with similar values, such as United Left.

But Podemos ran for the regional elections and has been one of the key forces behind the historical loss of seats for the 'big two' combined.

"The 'caste' [PP and PSOE] has had some of its worst results ever," Iglesias commented.

"Big cities are the driving force behind political change and we've seen that every time Spain goes to the polls, its support for us grows."

But Iglesias says he would have liked to see the decline of the main two parties, which have effectively taken it in turns to govern Spain for 40 years, come about 'much faster'.

"Still, this spurs us on to keep working," he observed.

"This situation is the spring of change and is irreversible. We'll take up the challenge in November of winning the general elections."

Iglesias had a few words for his ex-girlfriend Tania Sánchez, former United Left (IU) leader in Madrid, on his Twitter page.

"We owe the changes in Madrid to many people. One of these is @Ainhat [Tania Sánchez]. Thanks for your example, your generosity and your bravery, friend."