Widespread Sexual Harassment Scandals Rock Spanish Political Parties at End of 2025
A wave of sexual harassment allegations across PSOE, PP, and Vox has triggered resignations and debates on accountability in Spanish politics, highlighting deep-rooted machismo.
- • Multiple sexual harassment cases have affected nearly all major Spanish parties, prompting partial resignations.
- • PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez calls machismo a structural problem and defends the party's strong response.
- • Some accused politicians, like mayors in PSOE and PP, resist resignation despite allegations.
- • Vox leader Santiago Abascal contrasts the party’s handling of harassment allegations with other parties.
Key details
As 2025 draws to a close, Spain’s political landscape is shaken by a wave of sexual harassment allegations spanning almost all major parties, precipitating a series of resignations and intense public scrutiny. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), People’s Party (PP), and Vox are grappling with accusations that reveal entrenched issues of machismo within Spanish politics.
The PSOE has been notably impacted, following the initial scandal involving Paco Salazar. Several party members have resigned in face of harassment accusations, including José Tomé, who stepped down from his post in the Lugo Provincial Council but controversially remains mayor of Monforte de Lemos, echoing a similar situation with Valencia’s Toni González. Despite these resignations, some individuals, like the mayor of Barbadás, are resisting pressure to leave office. PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez defends the party’s handling, stating that their response has been “very strong” and identifying machismo as a “structural evil” within the political realm.
The PP also faces significant turmoil. The mayor of Jérica stands accused of sexual assaults involving minors, and José Ignacio Landaluce, mayor of Algeciras, confronts sexual harassment allegations but refuses to resign, arguing that leaving the party suffices for accountability.
Vox has not been immune; Javier Esteban, the party’s head of networks, resigned after a teenage harassment accusation surfaced. Vox leader Santiago Abascal has publicly praised the party’s response, contrasting it with what he implies are softer approaches by other parties.
This surge of allegations underscores ongoing challenges in Spanish politics related to harassment and gender-based misconduct. The partial resignations and nuanced responses reflect a complex and often reluctant approach to accountability.
The scandals highlight a critical societal issue as Spain confronts persistent machismo in governance, prompting calls for more comprehensive reforms and transparency to restore public trust and safeguard political institutions from abuse.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
