Former minister and ex-head of Red Eléctrica Jordi Sevilla has announced plans to present a manifesto in January, which he hopes will serve as a starting point for charting an alternative social-democratic course within the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE). According to Sevilla, the party under Pedro Sánchez has lost its original values and needs to return to its roots.
Sevilla emphasizes that his initiative is not about creating a new political force or joining the opposition. He insists it is an attempt to restore PSOE’s traditional social democracy, which, in his view, once brought the party success. The manifesto, set to appear after the New Year holidays, will serve as a foundation for uniting experienced party members and young activists ready to fight for Spain’s future.
In an interview, Sevilla noted that the current party leadership acts on the principle of ‘Caesarism,’ and internal checks and balances are nearly absent. He expressed regret that Sánchez’s influence dominates the committee, executive bodies, and regional branches, arguing that Sánchez has appointed loyal ministers to control the party structure.
Searching for allies
Sevilla is actively negotiating with various party members to secure support for his initiative. He notes that his interlocutors include both PSOE veterans and young politicians who remain interested in change. However, according to him, many are cautious and reluctant to openly endorse the new direction, fearing the consequences and uncertainty about the timing of such steps.
The former minister admits that there is a certain apathy and disappointment within the party ranks. Some members, he says, have already accepted the current state of affairs and no longer believe change is possible. Nevertheless, Sevilla is confident that his manifesto can inspire those who still have hope for PSOE’s renewal.
Criticism of the current direction
Sevilla openly states that since the coalition agreement between Sánchez and Pablo Iglesias in 2019, the party has deviated from its social-democratic principles and adopted a more populist approach. He stresses that he does not intend to confront other political forces, and his goal is to bring PSOE back to policies rooted in the values of social justice.
Sevilla is particularly dissatisfied with the approval of the amnesty law and cooperation with parties with whom he sees no common ground. He notes that today’s Sánchez differs from the one he once worked with and expresses regret over the loss of previous guiding principles.
Future plans
Sevilla emphasizes that change requires time and patience. He expects his initiative to continue at least until the next party congress. In his view, the outcome of future elections, including the defeat in Extremadura and possible changes at the regional level, could influence the party’s mood and speed up the renewal process.
At the same time, Sevilla stresses that he is not seeking a generational confrontation within PSOE. He insists on the need for dialogue between experienced party members and young people to jointly develop a new course that can restore voters’ trust in the party.
Internal Contradictions
Recalling his years in the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Sevilla notes that he never supported turning the party into a ‘fan club’ for a single leader. He criticizes the lack of genuine debate and independent opinions within PSOE’s leadership bodies, seeing it as a dangerous trend for any democratic structure.
Sevilla acknowledges that supporters of direct elections for the secretary general did not expect that the party could one day fall fully under the control of a single person without checks and balances. He believes a return to social democratic principles is only possible if balance and open dialogue within the party are restored.
