Politics Spain's ruling party apologizes to women
Spain's socialist governing party PSOE is coming under increasing pressure due to allegations of corruption and now also sexual harassment. The deputy head of government and leader of the smaller coalition partner Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, warned: "It can't go on like this." Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez must "radically reshape" the government, she demanded.
12.12.2025, 19:03
SDA
In view of accusations that the party had not paid sufficient attention to internal reports of sexual harassment of female employees by high-ranking party officials, the PSOE's organizational secretary, Rebeca Torró, asked the women concerned to apologize. Torró admitted that there had been errors in communication and promised that the PSOE would fight sexism "relentlessly".
In recent months, three important PSOE politicians, including close Sánchez confidant Francisco Salazar, have had to resign from their posts after women accused them of making inappropriate comments, advances or obscene messages. None of the politicians have yet been convicted.
Opposition leader calls for new elections
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also demanded that Sánchez answer questions in parliament about "systemic government corruption". He has long been calling for the government to resign and for an early election. However, according to a survey by the state opinion research institute CIS, the PSOE is currently around nine percentage points ahead of Feijóo's conservative People's Party (PP).
The Socialists had already run into difficulties beforehand due to allegations of corruption. Sánchez's former transport minister José Luis Ábalos has been charged and is in custody. His former advisor Koldo García has also been remanded in custody. The indictment accuses both of them of corruption in connection with the procurement of protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
The former managing director of the PSOE, Santos Cerdán, was only recently released on conditional release after five months in custody. He is the subject of criminal proceedings on allegations that construction contracts were awarded to certain companies in return for concealed payments. Former PSOE politician Leire Díez was then arrested on Wednesday. The investigation concerns irregularities in the awarding of public contracts.
