\n<\/p>\n
Spain’s ruling Socialists were facing mounting pressure on Friday over claims of sexual harassment and corruption, prompting calls for a major government shake-up.<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda D\u00edaz, who leads junior coalition partner Sumar, warned that “things cannot go on like this” and said Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez must “radically reshape” his government.<\/p>\n
The controversy intensified after allegations emerged that S\u00e1nchez’s Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) failed to adequately address internal reports of sexual harassment of female staff by senior party officials.<\/p>\n
Rebeca Torr\u00f3, who serves as PSOE’s organizational secretary, apologized to the women affected, acknowledging communication failures and pledging that the party would fight sexism “relentlessly.”<\/p>\n
In recent months, three senior PSOE figures \u2014 including close S\u00e1nchez ally Francisco Salazar \u2014 have stepped down from their posts after women accused them of inappropriate comments, advances or obscene messages. None of the politicians has been convicted.<\/p>\n
Opposition leader Alberto N\u00fa\u00f1ez Feij\u00f3o said S\u00e1nchez must answer in parliament for what he described as “systemic corruption within the government.” Feij\u00f3o has long called for the government\u2019s resignation and an early election.<\/p>\n
However, according to a recent poll by Spain\u2019s state-run Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), the PSOE currently leads Feij\u00f3o\u2019s conservative Popular Party (PP) by around 9 percentage points.<\/p>\n
Socialists embroiled in numerous scandals<\/strong><\/p>\n Former transport minister Jos\u00e9 Luis \u00c1balos was chargsed and is currently in pre-trial detention, as is his former adviser Koldo Garc\u00eda. Prosecutors accuse both men of corruption linked to the procurement of protective face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n Santos Cerd\u00e1n, the PSOE’s former executive secretary, was recently given a provisional release after spending five months in pre-trial detention. He is facing charges over allegations that construction contracts were awarded in exchange for secret payments to selected companies.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, former PSOE politician Leire D\u00edez was arrested as part of an investigation into irregularities in the awarding of public contracts.<\/p>\n