MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Pablo Iglesias, leader of Spain's left-wing Unidas Podemos party, on Monday announced his resignation as second deputy prime minister and minister of social rights to become his party's candidate in the forthcoming regional elections in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.
He said his aim was to "prevent the far-right from taking over the institutions," adding that he planned to discuss the possibility of a joint candidacy with Inigo Errejon, leader of the left-wing Mas Pais (Mas Madrid in the Madrid area) party and one of the original founders of Unidas Podemos.
"Madrid needs a left-wing government and I believe I can be useful in helping to win and lead it," commented Iglesias.
The vote in the Madrid region will be held on May 4 after the incumbent, Isabel Diaz Ayuso from the right-wing People's Party (PP), called a snap election to avoid a no-confidence vote after a major fallout between the PP and the center-right Cuidadanos party, which had been minor partners in a coalition government. Enditem