In Madrid, Manuela Carmena of the Podemos-backed grassroots coalition Ahora Madrid has won a close second in the mayoral race but is still expected to become mayor by forming an alliance with the Socialists. Carmena is a retired judge and former member of Spain’s underground Communist Party who fought labor restrictions as an attorney under dictator Francisco Franco. The dual victories of Colau and Carmena put grassroots women in control of Spain’s two largest cities, as leftist coalitions are expected to take local governments in other key cities across Spain.