Montse Mínguez, spokesperson for the PSOE in the Congress of Deputies, will head the PSC–Pirineu i Aran list for Lleida in the upcoming 29 November general election. The decision was approved unanimously by the PSC Federation Council for the Comarques of Lleida, Pirineu and Aran at a meeting in Alcarràs on Wednesday 14 October 2026. Jan Pomés, mayor of Cervera, will lead the party’s Senate list.
Mínguez, who previously served as MP for Lleida, said she takes on the role with "head held high and conviction in forming part of the best project for the region and the country". She called for a progressive and left-wing majority on 29 November to safeguard citizens’ rights. The full congressional list includes Amador Marqués as number two, Lorena González as number three, and Xavier Oriol as number four.
The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over the property activities of Mínguez’s partner, Sergi Vélez Viola, an Ilercense businessman. Reports published on 14 October 2026 by El Español and Artículo 14 revealed that Vélez manages a real estate holding with 30 rental flats and assets valued at €6.2 million, including the firm Nest Capital Homes, which holds €8.4 million in property assets. The company’s legal purpose includes property leasing, management and real estate intermediation.
Some reports indicate that tenants have faced eviction under this portfolio, drawing criticism given the PSOE’s strong public stance against speculative landlords and its pledge from Moncloa to prevent further evictions. When questioned, Mínguez acknowledged the business but stated it operates legally under current Catalan housing law. "If a tenant does not pay, they are evicted," she said, excluding vulnerable families from such action.
The debate on housing must focus on who defends the right to decent housing and who does not.
Óscar López, Spain’s Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service, defended Vélez, stating his activities are lawful and compliant. "The debate on housing must focus on who defends the right to decent housing and who does not," López said at the CREO forum hosted by Cinco Días on 14 October. "From there, it is not about targeting or singling out those who conduct legal business and comply with the law."
The Partido Popular has intensified criticism, accusing the PSOE of hypocrisy. Ester Muñoz, the PP’s spokesperson in Congress, said the party exemplifies "do as I say, not as I do", highlighting what she described as a deep inconsistency between public rhetoric and private conduct. PP sources pointed to the contrast between past PSOE attacks on so-called "vulture landlords" and the defence of Vélez’s operations.
Òscar Ordeig, Secretary of the PSC Federation for Lleida, Pirineu and Aran, stressed that these elections are pivotal for the region. "In these elections, Lleida, the Pyrenees and Aran must be decisive," he said, urging voter mobilisation to protect social gains.
The final confirmation of Mínguez’s candidacy awaits ratification by the PSC’s National Council, scheduled for Friday 16 October 2026. Official candidate lists for the 29 November elections will be formally published by Spain’s Interior Ministry in due course.
Reported by lamanyana.cat, elpais.com, Ministerio del Interior, elmundo.es, theobjective.com, cuatro.com, eleconomista.es, EP, segre.com, elespanol.com, esdiario.com, infobae.com, Vídeo: Telemadrid.
