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After the resignation of Albert Rivera, everyone wonders about the day after. And the most noted woman is called Inés Arrimadas . She kept silent Monday all day. "I was in a schock after the election results and Rivera's resignation," a fellow executive told this newspaper. The spokeswoman for Citizens in Congress knows that the whole party understands that she is the natural candidate to succeed Rivera, the person who gathers the most consensus and support. Perhaps the only one that could get a unitary candidacy, with hardly any rivals. But Arrimadas did not want to give any clue about his decision.

With the resignation of the president of the party, the entire Executive also declines. In the next few days, a General Council - the highest Citizens governing body between assemblies - will have to appoint a manager who will lead the party until the congress. In addition, the Council will set a date and convene the extraordinary assembly that will elect a new president and a new Executive.

The sources consulted point to a "rapid succession", at most in two months, to face the important and urgent challenges that Citizens have ahead. "Ines has an impressive mental speed, clear ideas, she is a woman, charismatic and intelligent," an executive member assured EL MUNDO, noting that there is no "better relief" to replace Rivera at the head of the orange formation.

The coincidence in the figure of Arrimadas is practically unanimous within the whole game. In addition, she is the spokeswoman for the Congress and the most important national institutional position in training after Rivera's departure.

The one who is the reference of the critics, the spokesman for Citizens in Europe, Luis Garicano , was ruled out as a possible successor in conversation with this newspaper. And also pointed to the Jerez deputy: "It would be an excellent candidate."

It has "an exceptional pull"

Another member of the management points out that Arrimadas is much more empathetic than Rivera himself, and that he loves to mix with people, with whom he has "an exceptional pull." "After the rallies, people love her, apachurra, and she loves it too," they add.

His charisma was decisive for Citizens to obtain an excellent result in the Andalusian elections of December 2018. And he remains, in addition, the only constitutionalist political leader who has been able to win independence in votes and seats in regional elections in Catalonia .

The Citizen militant who wants to lead the party will have to introduce himself to some primaries. And in the direction there is also consensus that if she takes the step, it will be unbeatable. "No one can stand before her with guarantees of success," they say.

Citizen sources point out that Arrimadas is taking some time to reflect before making a decision. The deputy is pregnant and has to keep some rest, although so far she has not been able to do so because of the election campaign. His performance in the debate of candidates was very celebrated both inside and outside the party.

At the moment, there is only one possible alternative candidate for the former leader of Citizens in Catalonia. He would be the vice president of the Community of Madrid, Ignacio Aguado . Sources from his environment assured this newspaper that he does not rule out showing up.

But they also added that before you have to have a conversation with Arrimadas. He also considers that the deputy is one of the people best prepared to take office at a very difficult time.

"With Inés, Citizens can once again widen the center, occupy a large center space and become a winning project again," says a former deputy in Congress.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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  • General elections
  • Inés Arrimadas
  • Citizens
  • Albert rivera

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