Ione Belarra, the Secretary General of Podemos and Minister of Social Rights, is set to unveil in Madrid today a cornerstone proposal for the new electoral cycle: a guaranteed income designed to lift families and individuals out of poverty. The plan contemplates monthly payments ranging from 700 to 1,400 euros, beginning at age 18, as part of a broader effort to strengthen social protection across the country. (Source: Europa Press)
According to Podemos officials cited by Europa Press, Belarra argues that this new aid must surpass the current Minimum Living Income, known as the IMV, calling for a notably higher level of assistance than the present program. The aim is to curb poverty and reduce inequality within Spain—ambitions echoed by the party as a core pillar of its electoral strategy. (Source: Europa Press)
Podemos’ calculations indicate that the measure would impact 2.4 million households, representing around 6 million people who could become beneficiaries. The proposal, described as emblematic by the party, would guarantee a basic income for all citizens experiencing income scarcity and would build on a concept first proposed in 2019. At that time the plan fluctuated between 600 and 1,200 euros, but Belarra’s current stance raises both the minimum and maximum tranches to intensify support. (Source: Europa Press)
Belarra is expected to present this reform within the framework program for municipal elections, a platform that also connects to the forthcoming general elections. The update will be defended alongside senior Podemos figures such as the State Secretary for Social Rights and the party’s economic coordinator, Nacho Álvarez, and Alejandra Jacinto, Unidas Podemos’ candidate for the Presidency of the Community of Madrid. (Source: Europa Press)
Preliminary details from Podemos indicate a monthly ceiling of 1,400 euros for a family with two adults and two children, while a single adult would access a minimum of 700 euros. The emphasis remains on simplicity in both the processing and acceptance of benefits, with eligibility beginning at age 18 and a prior earnings threshold of 2,100 euros in the previous three months designed to ensure rapid, responsive aid in emergencies. (Source: Europa Press)
Partial employment is highlighted as a key context for the measure. The income support is envisioned not only as a standalone safety net but also as a complement to wages, encouraging workers to accept benefits alongside earnings. For instance, in a scenario where an individual is employed part-time and earns 600 euros, the guaranteed income could top up the total to 1,000 euros per month in aggregate support. (Source: Europa Press)
Another dimension of the proposal is its approach to household ownership and distribution. Rather than conferring benefits to a single adult, the plan would distribute the support across all adults in the household, aligning payment equity with family responsibilities. In addition, every child under 18 would receive a supplementary amount, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on child welfare. (Source: Europa Press)
Álvarez had previously spoken in 2019 about a guaranteed basic income in the same range, noting that financing could involve fiscal measures such as a wealth tax on large fortunes. The plan anticipated costs in the vicinity of 10,000 to 12,000 euros per year per beneficiary group, with potential financing mechanisms including targeted taxes on substantial fortunes. (Source: Europa Press)
Indeed, late last year, new extraordinary taxes on energy companies, financial institutions, and large fortunes were introduced to enable fiscal adjustments for 2022 and to support collection in 2023. This broader fiscal backdrop provides context for the timing and design of the proposed guaranteed income, which is positioned as a central policy instrument for social resilience in a period of economic volatility. (Source: Europa Press)
Overall, the Podemos initiative signals a deliberate shift toward a more expansive social protection model, one that seeks to reduce inequality while offering a streamlined, accessible pathway to aid for those most in need. As the party frames it, the measure aims to be agile, capable of addressing emergencies quickly and equitably, with an emphasis on clear eligibility rules and straightforward access. (Source: Europa Press)