In Catalonia, the party Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has come under scrutiny following an internal investigation into allegations of harassment among its deputies. This decision is significant for anyone monitoring changes in Spain’s political culture: the party chose not to impose disciplinary action against deputy Pilar Vallugera but acknowledged the urgent need to review internal regulations and establish new mechanisms to prevent conflicts and protect staff.
Questions about Vallugera’s conduct arose after several parliamentary colleagues reported incidents of public reprimands, shouting, and humiliation during work meetings. The situation escalated during discussions on the Trans law, when, according to former deputy Maria Dantas, the group’s atmosphere became unbearable. Dantas, who has Brazilian roots, left politics, stating the party ignored her complaints and failed to ensure her psychological safety.
Internal disagreements
The investigation, conducted by former Sant Cugat mayor Mireia Ingla, found no grounds for disciplinary action. However, the report highlighted serious communication and respect issues within ERC’s parliamentary group. Ingla recommended creating clear protocols for conflict resolution and behavioral standards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The scandal erupted amid a leadership struggle within the party between supporters of Oriol Junqueras and his former deputy. During the same period, the party was also dealing with another high-profile incident: a campaign featuring offensive posters related to the Alzheimer’s disease of former president Pasqual Maragall. All this increased tensions and led to a change in the person responsible for internal oversight.
Reaction and consequences
Following the publication of Dantas’ testimony, the ERC leadership was forced to reopen the investigation. The new head of internal control, appointed in April, conducted an additional review. As a result, it was decided not to sanction Valljugera, since no evidence of systematic pressure was found. However, the report stresses that the team’s atmosphere needs to change.
The document calls for new tools to improve the working environment and preserve the dignity of all organization members. Importantly, these measures should apply not only in parliament but also in the party’s municipal groups. According to experts, such steps could serve as an example for other political forces in Spain.
Context and comparisons
The situation in ERC is reminiscent of other high-profile cases involving internal conflicts and allegations of bullying among politicians. For example, Spain recently saw the resignation of the head of ICAVI in the Canary Islands following allegations of sexual misconduct. Both cases demonstrate that public and media pressure is forcing parties and state institutions to reconsider their internal ethics and staff protection policies.
According to El Pais, the ERC report emphasizes that even if such actions do not constitute disciplinary violations, they can seriously undermine the workplace environment. The introduction of new protocols is intended to help prevent similar incidents in the future and strengthen trust in political institutions.
In recent years, Spain has seen a growing number of scandals involving the behavior of officials and deputies. In 2025, there was a case in Madrid where the opposition demanded immediate explanations from the government following the tragedy in Adamuz. Such incidents continue to spark public debate on transparency and government accountability. The introduction of new rules and protocols within parties and state institutions is becoming a trend that may reshape the country’s political culture.
