Intra-party Response: From Disappointment to Mobilization
An unexpected shift in sentiment has emerged within the territorial branches of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) following the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz. While recent discussions had focused on scandals involving former party officials and general disillusionment, sharp reactions to the court’s verdict have now taken center stage. Chat groups within the party erupted with outrage, temporarily pushing aside talk of corruption cases.
Until recently, a sense of political fatigue prevailed among the socialists, fueled by a series of accusations against former party secretaries. However, the Attorney General’s case has shifted the mood. Many party members believe the charges against García Ortiz were not substantiated, viewing him as a victim of political maneuvering rather than someone guilty of leaking information.
Court Ruling and Its Impact on the Party
The Supreme Court found no evidence of direct transmission of emails related to the partner of the head of the Madrid government, but did rule that there was a violation in publishing a press release initiated by the prosecutor himself. This detail served as the basis for a guilty verdict, triggering a storm of emotion among socialists and their supporters.
Both the government and most party members believe that the journalistic accounts confirming the independence of information sources are trustworthy. Nevertheless, the final verdict is expected to focus specifically on the issue of publishing the press release, rather than the data leak itself. As a result, it is likely that a new person will soon be appointed to the position of Attorney General.
Political ambitions and strategy for the future
Amid ongoing legal proceedings, the socialists do not plan to push the government toward early elections. Their goal is to maintain stability until 2027, unless there is a need to hold a vote before the remaining municipal and regional elections. This time, party leaders insist that national elections must be held first, followed by local ones.
Party leaders are working to restore voters’ trust and boost grassroots morale. They believe that only a proactive approach and demonstrating the usefulness of central government for all citizens will help the socialists strengthen their position ahead of future elections. This is especially crucial amid constant attacks from the opposition, which seizes every opportunity to criticize the government and its allies.
Challenges for the government and coalition partners
Amid mounting pressure from opposition parties and ongoing divisions within the coalition, the government is preparing to make decisions that will be difficult for even its most critical parliamentary partners to reject. Despite clear dissatisfaction from some allies, including Junts, and Sumar’s proactive stance, the executive branch intends to push forward initiatives likely to have a significant social impact.
Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and her supporters have been openly critical of the court ruling, emphasizing the need for further reforms. At the same time, the Prime Minister, speaking at the G20 summit in South Africa, made it clear that, despite disagreeing with the Supreme Court’s decision, the government will use every legal avenue to appeal, including taking the case to the Constitutional Court.
Outlook and Expectations: Commitment to Continue Parliamentary Work
Within PSOE and among their supporters, there is a growing conviction that the parliament’s work must continue in spite of both external and internal challenges. Party leaders are focusing on unifying and energizing their structures to prevent the opposition from monopolizing the political agenda.
In the coming months, the Socialists plan to focus on making decisions that will be noticeable to citizens and help strengthen public trust in the government. As political competition intensifies, such steps may prove crucial to success in the next elections.
