The secretary-general of the poll-topping Podemos party is one of a new batch of the ceramic statuettes that Spaniards — especially in Catalan-speaking areas — hide in Christmas nativity scenes.
Pablo Iglesias ya tiene su "caganer" pic.twitter.com/qT9f9gHfUU
— Ricardo Lucas (@redacciones) December 3, 2014
The figures symbolize fertilization, and hope and prosperity for the coming twelve months and have been sold in Catalonia since the eighteenth century.
Traditionally the caganer is a peasant from one of Spain's Catalan-speaking areas in a red 'barretina' cap. He is also often shown smoking a pipe.
Nowadays, however celebrities are just as likely to feature.
In 2014, Pablo Iglesias, with his trademark ponytail, is joined by fellow newcomers such as Catalan president Artur Mas and Spain's new King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
The Alós-Pla family who make the figurines are hoping to sell 30,000 items this year at prices ranging from €4 to €16 ($5 to $20), according to Spain's 20 minutos newspaper.
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