Willy Toledo distances himself from ‘Podemos’

SPANISH actor Willy Toledo has publicly distanced himself from political party Podemos and strongly criticised its leader, Pablo Iglesias.

Guillermo Toledo, professionally known as Willy Toledo, has put considerable distance between himself and the Spanish political party Podemos led by leftist activists, and said its political ideas lack content and ideology, due to the non-existent power and effectiveness of its regional branches, known as Circulos, and the cynicism of their leaders.

The Spanish film and television actor, theatre producer and political activist tweeted a cryptic message to his followers, saying: “Gonzalez, Solana, Almunia: PSOE 1978. Iglesias, Monedero, Errejon: Podemos 2014. Pena.” When asked what he meant, Toledo said he came very close to joining Podemos but later decided not to and that it was time to break his silence.

Toledo severely criticised Podemos, saying their ideology was not right-wing or left-wing and that everything was wrong in the party. He also accused Podemos leaders of being hypocrites. “I would not be that cynical and hide my ideology to get a handful of votes. I do not want manifestoes but actions. I want honesty, I want ideology. I am exasperated by rhetoric and empty talk,” he said.

In the latest European parliamentary elections, Podemos polled 7.98 per cent of the vote and was therefore awarded five seats out of 54. Furthermore, the party has emerged as the third political power in Spain and its rise has coincided with an increasing lack of confidence of Spaniards in the country’s political class.