A new scandal has erupted in Spain involving allegations of sexual harassment against Paco Salazar, who held an important position for a long time in Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s team. After detailed accounts from two women about Salazar’s inappropriate behavior surfaced in the press, government spokesperson Pilar Alegría issued a strong condemnation of his actions.
Women who worked under Salazar described incidents where he engaged in highly inappropriate behavior and remarks. According to their testimonies, he would ostentatiously zip up his fly right in front of them, mimic obscene gestures, and make comments about their appearance. These revelations sparked widespread public outcry and raised questions about how the country’s leadership responds to such incidents.
Answering journalists’ questions, Pilar Alegría emphasized that she considers this kind of behavior absolutely unacceptable. She noted that since July, Salazar has been immediately removed from all positions both in the government and within the party. According to her, a meeting was held at the prime minister’s residence (La Moncloa) with female staff to inform them about the existence of a special protocol for filing complaints about inappropriate conduct.
Authorities’ response
Although no official complaints were filed at the prime minister’s residence itself, two anonymous complaints were submitted within PSOE through the official channel designated for such cases. However, it later emerged that for four months after the complaints were lodged, party leadership took no steps to investigate the matter and did not even contact the affected individuals.
It was only after details of the allegations became public that party representatives announced their intention to launch a formal inquiry and initiate appropriate proceedings. This turn of events has raised questions about the transparency and effectiveness of internal mechanisms for responding to such incidents within political organizations.
Internal Party Processes
The Salazar scandal has sparked a conversation about how workplace harassment protocols are implemented in Spain. Despite the existence of formal procedures, in practice their application proved to be insufficiently prompt. The employees who filed complaints received neither support nor feedback from the party leadership for an extended period.
Pilar Alegría stressed that all workers should be aware of the protections available and of the possibility to report any cases of inappropriate behavior. She assured that the matter will now be investigated thoroughly and that those responsible will be held to account in accordance with current legislation.
Public Reaction
The incident involving Paco Salazar has sparked a strong reaction not only among politicians, but also in society. Many are calling for tougher measures and greater transparency in handling such cases. Issues of workplace safety, respect, and the need to reform current procedures to protect victims are being widely discussed on social media.
The scandal has served as another reminder of the importance of responding promptly to harassment complaints and the need to create an environment where victims are not afraid to seek help. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and pledged to take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
