Scandals Shake Spain’s Socialists Under Pedro Sánchez’s Leadership

A series of sex-related scandals has severely impacted the governing Socialist Party in Spain, causing unrest within the administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. On Wednesday, José Tomé, the Socialist head of the provincial council of Lugo, resigned after multiple complaints from six women regarding his conduct. The allegations include inappropriate touching, offering job placements in exchange for sexual favors, and sending explicit photographs to the complainants’ phones. Following the broadcast of these anonymous claims on a television program, Tomé maintained his innocence but quickly stepped down, vowing to take legal action to prove he was “a set-up.”

Tomé’s resignation marks a significant blow to the Socialist Party, particularly in the Galicia region. Although he has left his position as president of the provincial council and requested a suspension of his party membership, he has not resigned as mayor of Monforte or relinquished his council seat. Lara Méndez, a prominent figure in the regional party, condemned the allegations as “repugnant.” This incident adds to a troubling list of scandals involving party officials.

In July, Francisco Salazar, a close ally of Sánchez and a senior advisor, was forced to resign following repeated harassment complaints from female colleagues. Allegations against Salazar included inappropriate remarks, unzipping his trousers, and mimicking sexual acts in front of staff. Reports revealed that the party had neglected to reach out to the complainants for several months, further exacerbating the situation.

This week, Antonio Hernández, Salazar’s assistant, was dismissed for allegedly enabling his superior’s behavior and attempting to shield him from investigation. Hernández has denied any wrongdoing, while Salazar claims he does not recall any inappropriate interactions.

In a further development, the Socialist Party suspended Antonio Navarro, its secretary general in Torremolinos, after a woman filed a harassment complaint with local prosecutors. Navarro has denied the allegations against him.

Sánchez has publicly acknowledged his responsibility for the mishandling of the Salazar case, emphasizing the lessons learned through feminism. He stated, “Feminism teaches us lessons every day, and I’m the first one [to learn].” He contrasted the left’s approach of accountability and apology with that of the right.

The situation has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Alberto Núñez Feijóo, head of the conservative People’s Party (PP), who labeled the Socialists as “a dangerous party for women.” The right has pointed to perceived hypocrisy within a party that has branded itself as “feminist” since 2021.

The internal strife within the Socialist Party is compounded by other issues, including the loss of its parliamentary majority. Two former secretaries of the party, José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán, are facing trial for their alleged involvement in a significant kickback scheme. Although Cerdán has resigned, he maintains his innocence, while Ábalos also asserts he did not engage in any wrongdoing.

In response to these ongoing issues, three prominent female Socialist politicians, including Andrea Fernández, the party’s equality spokesperson, published an open letter in El País. They expressed their deep concern about the situation, acknowledging the party’s historical achievements in advancing feminist causes while advocating for better mechanisms to address harassment and violence. They called for reforms to ensure accountability and to help repair the damage inflicted by these scandals.

As the Socialist Party navigates these turbulent waters, the implications for its future and for Spain’s political landscape remain to be seen.