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The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), Spain’s ruling party is currently grappling with corruption scandals surrounding key figures and growing internal divisions among its leadership.
The PSOE’s current predicament is a far cry from its position just three years ago during its last National Congress. At that time, the party was riding a wave of stability, governing decisively in the aftermath of the pandemic, and maintaining control over Spain’s major autonomous communities. However, this phase of calm and control has given way to turbulence. Dissident voices among socialist leaders have grown louder, resembling a medieval revolt against President Pedro Sánchez’s perceived arbitrary and unilateral decision-making.
These tensions will take center stage at the PSOE’s 41st National Congress, scheduled for November 29 to December 1 in Seville. The party now faces a precarious political landscape marked by unreliable alliances with independence-leaning factions and a lack of coherent ideological direction. Sánchez’s leadership is under fire from both internal critics and external pressures, as the party struggles to maintain its legislative momentum after suffering significant losses in the May 2023 local and regional elections.
Externally, the PSOE is also contending with mounting challenges. It recently faced scrutiny over its response to the devastating DANA weather event and is locked in fierce opposition with the Popular Party in Brussels, which is attempting to block Teresa Ribera’s nomination for European Commissioner. These issues compound the party’s already difficult situation, reinforcing perceptions of instability within its ranks.
Adding to these woes are enduring scandals that have become emblematic of the PSOE’s struggles. The case of former minister José Luis Ábalos, under indictment by Spain’s Supreme Court, and ongoing investigations into the president’s wife for alleged influence-peddling, further tarnish the party’s image. Despite these setbacks, President Sánchez has shown resilience, often likened to a stubborn “weed” that refuses to wither under pressure. Yet, these controversies have fueled calls from senior party members for sweeping changes in both internal governance and external leadership.
However, these calls for reform appear poorly timed and ineffectively executed. Sánchez has consolidated control over key judicial and media institutions, including the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Constitutional Court, and the General Council of the Judiciary. Public entities like RTVE, Spain’s national broadcaster, and research organizations such as the Sociological Research Centre, have also been criticized for serving as extensions of the government’s influence. These moves, while legally defensible, have raised serious concerns about the erosion of institutional independence and democratic norms.
Meanwhile, the names floated as potential powerbrokers within the PSOE’s national leadership—Patxi López, the parliamentary spokesperson, and Óscar Puente, the Minister of Transport—have faced criticism for their aggressive tactics against journalists, political opponents, and media outlets. Critics argue that their leadership styles further deepen the party’s authoritarian tendencies and alienate voters seeking a more transparent and accountable government.
As the PSOE approaches its National Congress, it does so under the weight of internal divisions and a growing perception of a political witch hunt targeting Prime Minister Sánchez’s inner circle. This infighting and the party’s broader missteps have significant consequences, not just for Spain’s citizens but also for the country’s reputation on the international stage. Once a model of democratic consolidation, Spain now finds itself under scrutiny from global observers, who view its current trajectory with alarm.
Ultimately, the greatest casualties of the PSOE’s turmoil are the Spanish people and the country’s institutional framework. The combination of internal disarray, external scandals, and perceived overreach has eroded public trust and tarnished Spain’s image. As the PSOE attempts to redefine its direction and restore unity, it must confront the reality that its actions have consequences not only at home but also on the global stage, where the collapse of a once-stable democracy is met with bewilderment and concern.