Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is grappling with another setback following the resignation of a close ally, Francisco Salazar, amid allegations of sexual harassment. This development comes at a tumultuous time for Sánchez and Spain’s Socialist Party, which has recently been embroiled in a series of corruption scandals.
Salazar, who held a position as a deputy in the party’s secretariat, stepped down after claims surfaced regarding inappropriate behavior toward a female subordinate. According to the allegations reported by the left-leaning news site elDiario.es, Salazar made unwelcome comments about the woman’s clothing and body, invited her to dinner alone, and suggested she stay overnight at his residence.
Immediate investigation initiated
In a statement, the Socialist Party confirmed that an investigation will commence promptly, although they clarified that no formal complaints have yet been filed. This incident adds to the mounting pressures on Sánchez, who was scheduled to address party members in Madrid when news of the resignation broke.
Reuters reported that Sánchez delayed his speech by an hour, during which he emphasized the importance of reporting any instances of sexual abuse through official party channels. Notably, he refrained from directly addressing Salazar’s situation.
Sánchez under scrutiny amid party turmoil
This latest development is a significant blow to Sánchez, who only a month ago publicly apologized for the recent corruption issues that have plagued his administration, implicating several senior party figures. Leading a minority coalition government, he has faced ongoing criticism regarding the integrity of his leadership.
The main opposition party, the center-right People’s Party (PP), has been particularly vocal, accusing Sánchez of running a “mafia” administration. Last month, large protests organized by the PP in Madrid attracted tens of thousands of participants, reflecting widespread discontent.
Even members of Sánchez’s own party have urged him to consider calling snap national elections, fully aware that a loss is likely. The speech at the Socialist Party’s headquarters was initially intended to restore confidence following the recent scandals and to announce a restructuring aimed at improving the party’s public image.