The resignation of the co-founder of Podemos has plunged Spain’s young left-wing party into its first serious crisis in an important election year.<br /><br /> Juan Carlos Monedero has stepped down from his leadership roles amid differences over strategy, arguing the anti-austerity movement should stay closer to its roots. <br /><br /> Le he presentado a mi amigo Pablo la dimisión en la dirección. Siguen firmes mi amistad con alguien tan grande y el compromiso con Podemos.— Juan Carlos Monedero (@MonederoJC) abril 30, 2015<br /><br /> Podemos members have recently discussed, at times in public, whether the party should tone down proposals to capture more centrist voters and show it is a potential force for government ahead of a parliamentary election this year. Monedero explained his decision in a blog post.<br /><br /> The party leadership confirmed at a news conference that there had been differences in recent months over the party’s future direction. <br /><br /> “As you can imagine, it’s enormously painful. For me Juan Carlos is
