In light of allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior in the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), Popular Party (PP) spokesperson Ester Muñoz questioned both the depth of the government’s knowledge of the extent of these incidents and the validity of citizens’ trust in the party, even describing the PSOE’s internal situation as a combination of corruption, prostitution and sexual harassment. In this context of political tension, Félix Bolaños, Minister of Presidential Office, Justice and Relations with the Judiciary, acknowledged in his speech at the government control session in the Lower House on Wednesday that women have legitimate reasons to be disappointed with the way the Socialist Party has handled complaints of sexual harassment within its structure. As Europa Press reported, Bolaños told Congress that the recent cases cause pain and social rejection and require institutional responses.
During the parliamentary debate, Muñoz placed particular emphasis on the complaints lodged against PSOE figures, including the President of the Provincial Council of Lugo and Mayor of Monforte, José Tomé, who on the same day received accusations from six women accusing him of alleged sexual misconduct. The popular speaker also quoted former presidential adviser Francisco Salazar, whom she linked to alleged incidents of harassment of female workers at the Moncloa Palace, citing comments and gestures with sexual connotations. According to Europa Press, Muñoz highlighted in his presentation that some of the complainants said they were afraid and considered the PSOE’s institutional response inadequate, accusing the socialist party of promoting its image and discrediting the victims.
Faced with these demands, Bolaños said that the known incidents were “painful and disgusting” and that he understood the disillusionment of female members and sympathizers, since, according to those affected, expectations of the party’s response had not been met, explained Europa Press. Despite the seriousness of the events, the minister stressed that the PSOE differs from other parties in the way it addresses problems of this type, stressing that socialist activists are demanding protective measures, clear answers and greater legal certainty.
In his defense, Bolaños drew a contrast with the behavior of other parties, particularly the PP and its relationship with Vox. The Europa Press newspaper reported that the minister blamed the People’s Party for allowing setbacks in women’s rights by accepting the influence of far-right groups on its legislative agenda. He emphasized that the institutional response to serious events characterizes the ability of various forces to maintain trust and credibility among the public.
For his part, Muñoz returned to his criticism of the socialist leadership and President Pedro Sánchez, pointing to tolerance towards collaborators involved in grievances and the maintenance of systematic practices of disqualification and marginalization of victims. According to Europa Press, the popular MP insisted that the retention of certain people in the executive and party decision-making areas was a pattern and not isolated situations in the political management strategy in La Moncloa and in the PSOE.
In response to these allegations, Bolaños rejected any attempt to cover up people linked to harassment cases, ensuring that the PSOE never resorted to cover-up mechanisms such as an alleged “patriot police,” destroyed digital evidence, or covered up anyone accused of corruption cases. Europa Press stressed that the minister defended that the real differentiator lies in the effective response to events that affect credibility and the institutional fabric.
The parliamentary exchange also included the intervention of Cuca Gamarra, a PP MP, who criticized the socialist handling of the demands for protection and recognition of harassment complainants. Gamarra pointed out, as published by Europa Press, that ultimately it will be the women themselves who will decide the future of Pedro Sánchez’s government, depending on the reaction that the victims receive within the party.
Bolaños reiterated in the session the defense of women’s fundamental rights, including protection of access to voluntary abortion and legal guarantees for LGBTI communities. The minister linked the parliamentary connection between PP and Vox to a setback in previously achieved social and legal gains for equality and diversity, Europa Press reported.
Finally, in contrast to what happened in the PSOE, the minister referred to the recent gestures of other parties in the face of similar cases and mentioned the honor given to Alfonso Villares in Galicia despite being accused of sexual assault, a fact that, according to Bolaños, had caused unease even in the opposition environment.
The medium Europa Press documented the strong polarization during the session, with the parties putting the debate on handling complaints and protecting rights at the center of parliamentary exchanges. The opposing positions mainly concern the legitimacy of the institutional response, transparency and support for victims, issues that continue to fuel the controversy over compliance with equality and accountability requirements in the Spanish political context.
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