In Galicia, the Socialist Party found itself at the center of a high-profile scandal that nearly led to a major internal crisis. Following allegations of sexual harassment against the head of Lugo province, José Tomé Roca, and a prolonged delay in the leadership’s response, the party committee convened in Santiago de Compostela in an effort to regain control of the situation. The atmosphere at the meeting was tense, but it did not escalate into open conflict.
Within the party, many expected a political earthquake, as the leader of the Galician Socialists, José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, came under fire for his slow response to the accusations. Besteiro admitted that he had been aware of the situation since autumn, but the scandal only became public in December. Nevertheless, tensions eased noticeably after the New Year holidays, and most delegates chose not to further inflame internal divisions.
Calm Before the Storm
Just over half the delegates attended the committee meeting, with about forty people taking the floor. Critics demanded more decisive action and transparency, but in the end, the majority backed the leadership’s position. Responding to the reproaches, Besteiro posed a straightforward question to his opponents: “What would you have done in my place?”—and received no answer. This was seen as a signal to bring the discussion of the scandal to a close.
However, not everyone was willing to turn a blind eye to what happened. The mayor of A Coruña, Inés Rey, urged the party to go beyond slogans about equality and take consistent action. Even she, though, chose not to deepen the division, understanding that tough elections were ahead and there was no clear alternative to the current leader.
A Bet on Unity
As a result, Besteiro managed to secure the support of key figures — A Coruña province president Valentín González Formoso and the government delegate in Galicia Pedro Blanco. The party publicly displayed unity, although cracks remain beneath the surface. After the disastrous outcome in the 2024 regional election, where the Socialists won only nine seats in parliament, any internal conflict could cost them their last footholds on the region’s political map.
Attention is now focused on the upcoming 2027 municipal elections. For the Galician PSOE, it is vital to maintain control over major cities like A Coruña and Vigo, as well as retain influence in provincial councils. In recent months, several municipalities have seen shifts in power due to votes of no confidence, fueling growing anxiety among the Socialists.
New Faces and Old Barons
In an effort to refresh its image and maintain its hold on power, the party has nominated the mayor of Burela, Carmela López Moreno, for the head of Lugo province. Her candidacy has already been approved by the central leadership, and support from BNG nationalists allows the Socialists to keep control of the province. Lugo is one of the most demographically challenging regions, where aging and depopulation present additional challenges for local authorities.
However, former provincial head José Tomé has no intention of stepping into the shadows. Despite being removed from party activities, he has kept his seat as a deputy and continues to lead the municipality of Monforte, the second largest city in Lugo. Tomé insists on his innocence and claims the accusations are fabricated, which only adds tension to an already difficult situation.
Lost ground
A similar case unfolded in Barbadás, where mayor Xosé Carlos Valcárcel was expelled from the party after a colleague accused him of harassment. Nevertheless, he has stayed in office, relying on a slim majority in the municipal council. Such incidents undermine trust in the party and create the impression that internal struggles matter more than the interests of voters.
All this is unfolding against a backdrop of survival: the socialists in Galicia now find themselves in a position where any misstep could cost them their last strongholds. Internal divisions, scandals, and staff reshuffles all threaten to result in the loss of control over key municipalities and provinces.
On the Brink of Balance
The Galician PSOE faces a difficult choice: either continue turning a blind eye to internal conflicts for the sake of unity, or take a risk and launch a painful renewal. For now, the party has opted for the former, hoping that time will heal wounds and allow them to retain power at least on the local level. But how long this fragile balance can be maintained remains an open question.
