A new scandal is brewing within the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), centered around allegations against Francisco Salazar. The Federation of Socialists of Asturias (FSA), one of the party’s key branches, insists that the leadership immediately forward the case documents to the prosecutor’s office. The reason is serious accusations of violence against women and harassment, which, according to the Asturian socialists, cannot be ignored.
Adriana Lastra, former deputy secretary general of the PSOE and currently the second most prominent figure in the FSA, has publicly demanded that the party not restrict itself to internal proceedings. She emphasized that this is a potential crime against women and must therefore be addressed at the state level. She was joined by Natalia González, also representing the FSA, who stated that all available materials should be handed over to the prosecutor’s office to determine whether a crime has been committed.
Pressure on the leadership
The leadership of the Asturian federation, headed by Adrián Barbón, has supported the initiative of its colleagues. In a statement, it noted that the party is obliged to turn to state authorities given the gravity of the accusations. Within the PSOE, pressure is mounting on the central leadership not to ignore the situation and to act with maximum transparency.
The scandal erupted after Francisco Salazar, a close ally of Pedro Sánchez, was appointed to a key position within the party structure. Almost immediately after, Salazar faced allegations of harassment. Lastra was the first among the leadership to openly oppose his appointment, stating that such situations were unacceptable within the party.
Party Response
Following the emergence of the allegations, Salazar himself requested to be temporarily suspended from his duties in the federal executive committee. However, official party representatives stated that at the time, no complaints had been filed through internal channels. Nonetheless, according to several party members, the anti-corruption office received at least two complaints about Salazar over the course of a month.
The internal crisis in the party has intensified against a backdrop of existing disagreements and allegations of corruption. Discontent is growing within PSOE over how the leadership handles such incidents. Many believe the party should demonstrate zero tolerance toward violence and harassment, especially when it involves high-ranking members.
Women and Power
In her speeches, Adriana Lastra has repeatedly emphasized that women in leadership positions within the party face additional challenges. According to her, the power structure in the PSOE remains predominantly male, creating extra barriers for women. Lastra also pointed out that holding a formal position and having real influence in the party often do not coincide.
In July 2022, Lastra resigned, citing personal reasons for her decision. She later admitted that she had been under pressure related to internal conflicts and instances of sexism. Her resignation became one of the most high-profile events in the party’s recent history and sparked widespread public debate.
Internal tensions
The situation surrounding Salazar has become a catalyst for discussion about deeper issues within the PSOE. There has been an increased push within the party to reform internal procedures and improve transparency when handling such cases. Many members are demanding that any accusations against party officials be addressed not only within the organization but also referred to state authorities.
At the same time, some of the party leadership fears that public discussion of such incidents could damage the party’s reputation ahead of important political events. However, pressure from regional branches and the party’s women’s wing continues to mount, forcing the leadership to respond to these challenges.
In case you didn’t know, Adriana Lastra is one of the most prominent figures in Spanish politics in recent years. She served as deputy secretary general of the PSOE from 2017 to 2022 and was known for her unwavering stance on equality and the defense of women’s rights. After stepping down from the federal level, Lastra continued her work in the Asturian federation, where she became one of the leading advocates against sexism and violence within the party.
