The 2021 Podemos state assembly—officially the 4th Citizen Assembly, and more informally referred to as Vistalegre IV—was held during 12 and 13 June 2021. The assembly took place for the first place outside of Vistalegre, taking place in a venue in Alcorcón. Ione Belarra was elected Secretary-General with over 80% of the votes.
Podemos performed poorly in the election, placing fifth with 7.2% of votes, only a small increase. The overall result was a dramatic victory for the conservative People's Party, whom far-right Vox pledged to support. After the announcement of the results, Iglesias announced he would resign from his offices and retire from politics. He stated he had been turned into "a scapegoat" who "mobilizes the worst of those who hate democracy."[2]
After Iglesias' resignation
Quickly after Iglesias resignation, Podemos leadership announced the start of the process to elect a new leadership to the party. Ione Belarra, who replaced Iglesias in his duties in the cabinet was seen as the preferred option by Podemos establishment to the post of Secretary-General.[3]
The assembly was set to take place in Paco de Lucía auditorium, in Alcorcón, becoming the first time to take place outside Vistalegre arena, in Madrid.[4] Iglesias refused to attend the assembly.[5]