Political campaigning began on May 8^th for the local elections in Spain, which are being held on May 24^th. The Pirates in Spain – members of Confederacion Pirata – are standing in more than 30 cities around the country, bringing change to local politics by campaigning on issues of human rights, direct democracy, free culture and a people’s economy.

The reality of daily living conditions in the past few years has raised political awareness among much of Spanish society, and these upcoming local elections are a great opportunity to change that reality in the municipalities.

Dario Castañé, who headed the list of the Confederación Pirata for the European elections in May 2014, is now heading the list of the coalition Decidim Igualada, which includes several parties and independent citizens. This candidacy wants to restore the city to its people, prioritising participation, transparency and universal access to municipal services through progressive rates.

Hernan Torrella is the coordinator of the Pirates de Catalunya in el Baix Valles. He heads the Pirate electoral list in Mollet. Hernan was elected in open primaries with citizen support. The electoral program is entirely based on the Pirate ideology. For several years now, Pirates de Mollet have defended direct democracy and human rights in their city.

Carlos Gonzalez heads the electoral list of Comú de Lleida, a civic candidacy, which has worked jointly for more than 15 months to create a cohesive and inclusive model for a city made by people, for people, to facilitate everyday life and achieve more sociable movement around the city.

Rubén Romero is the head of Piratas de Onda candidacy, following open primary elections. This candidacy is solely Pirate, and is strongly committed to the fight against TTIP and for civil liberties. It is campaigning under the banner of open and transparent citizen-led government.