Podemos downplays effect of Greek politics on Spain

The leader of Spanish protest party Podemos insisted Friday that any headway its Greek allies Syriza in make in renegotiating that country's huge debts would have a "limited" impact on Spain's elections this year.
Syriza's election victory last month was seen as a boost for Podemos, which is nipping at the heels of Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party in polls ahead of a Spanish general election due in November.
But Podemos's leader Pablo Iglesias, who has appeared alongside new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at party gatherings, struck a more cautious note on Friday, insisting Spain and Greece "are very different countries".
"It wasn't us who made Syriza win the election, although I went to one of their rallies, nor are they going to make us win or lose the election" in Spain, he told a gathering of foreign reporters in Madrid.
"I am convinced that the Greek government will do well, but that is a factor that will have a very limited influence in our country," he said.
"It is the Spanish people who will decide in the end what they want and what we do here."
Syriza rejects the terms of the international bailout arranged for Greece by international creditors in 2010.
It has been negotiating with EU leaders this week to lighten its debts, but so far no deal has been struck.
Campaigning against corruption and inequality, Podemos had previously raised questions about Spain's foreign debts but has yet to unveil detailed economic and financial policies.
"Spain is the fourth biggest economy in the eurozone and that gives it a completely different negotiating position" from Greece, Iglesias said.