Spain's ruling socialist party accused of failing to act on sexual misconduct by senior men

"Spain's ruling socialist party, which has been battered by a barrage of corruption allegations and political setbacks, is scrambling to reassert its feminist credentials after being accused of failing to act on sexual misconduct by senior men in the party. Pedro Sanchez appointed 11 women and six men to his cabinet when he became prime minister in 2018, saying his Spanish Socialist Workers' party (PSOE) was unmistakably committed to equality and to reflecting recent changes in Spanish society."

"But seven years on a slew of allegations of sexual harassment and the PSOE's response to them have led some women in the party to call for urgent action. The party's travails date back to July, when Francisco Salazar, who had overseen institutional coordination at the Moncloa palace in Madrid the office and official residence of the prime minister resigned."

"The online newspaper elDiario.es had published allegations of sexual harassment against him by women in the PSOE. At the time, sources at Moncloa said an investigation had been launched, but added that no official complaints had so far been made against Salazar. However, it has emerged in recent days that internal PSOE complaints lodged against Salazar by two female party members had been ignored for five months."

Spain's ruling Socialist party has been weakened by corruption allegations and political setbacks while facing accusations of failing to address sexual misconduct by senior male members. Pedro Sanchez appointed 11 women and six men to his 2018 cabinet to signal commitment to equality and social change. A series of sexual-harassment allegations prompted party members to demand urgent action. Francisco Salazar resigned after allegations emerged; internal complaints by two female members were reportedly ignored for five months. The PSOE attributed the failure to a computer-system error. Antonio Hernandez was dismissed over alleged concealment, and Jose Tome resigned amid multiple accusations, denying wrongdoing.

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