A scandal involving the inaction of the Madrid branch of the Partido Popular (PP) in response to a complaint about harassment by the mayor of Móstoles (Manuel Bautista) has reignited the debate on how political structures respond to cases of violence and ethical violations. For Spanish society, such stories have particular significance, as they affect trust in institutions and reveal how transparent and fair the internal processes are within parties that shape the lives of millions.
At the heart of the matter is the case of a young activist from the party’s youth wing, Nuevas Generaciones, who demanded that the PP leadership expel Daniel Marbán after his conviction for violence. Despite a court ruling, the party not only failed to act but promoted Marbán, including him in a key internal body and nominating him on the regional election candidate list. Even after the sentence became final, no sanctions were imposed.
Ignoring complaints
The victim, Marbán’s former partner, repeatedly appealed to the party headquarters on Calle Génova in Madrid, providing a copy of the court ruling and an audio recording as evidence of insults and aggression. However, the PP’s Committee of Rights and Guarantees was in no hurry to review the case, citing formalities and expiration of the complaint deadline. Party leaders stated that the case had been closed due to being ‘out of time’, as more than three months had passed since the complaint was filed.
In response to accusations of inaction, PP representatives tried to shift the blame onto the previous leadership, claiming that they allegedly did not have time to review the complaint before handing over authority to the new team led by Ayuso (Isabel Díaz Ayuso). However, the former head of the disciplinary commission refuted these arguments, stating there were no formal grounds to close the case.
Promotion of the convicted member
While the victim was seeking justice, Marbán was not only not removed from his position, but was also given new appointments. In June of the same year, he was included in the committee for handling citizen petitions, and by January of the following year, he was placed on the list of candidates for the regional elections. It was only after information about his conviction became public that Marbán was forced to withdraw from the elections and leave the party.
This case sparked wide public outcry and became a topic of discussion in the Spanish media and among the public. Many are questioning why a party that proclaims zero tolerance for violence is so slow to respond to such incidents, even when its own members are involved.
Response and consequences
In response to criticism, PP representatives claimed they did not ignore the victim, but the facts suggest otherwise. The complaint stalled, and the convicted member continued to hold responsible positions. Only after a public scandal and media pressure did the party take action, but it was already too late.
Reflecting on recent events, it’s worth noting that such situations are not uncommon in Spanish politics. Last year, RUSSPAIN.COM already addressed the issue of internal party conflicts and the authorities’ response to scandals. For example, an article about a minister demanding the closure of government accounts on X due to a scandal examined in detail the consequences for political reputation and public trust. To learn more about how such decisions influence public opinion, see our coverage of the scandal around X.
Context and analogies
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly seen political parties come under scrutiny due to allegations of ignoring complaints about violence or ethical violations. In 2024, a similar case occurred in one of the regional parties, where a harassment complaint was disregarded until the media intervened. In 2025, Catalonia discussed an incident where a municipal election candidate was removed from office only after information about his criminal record surfaced. These stories highlight that the problem is not confined to a single party or region, but affects the entire political system of the country.
Public pressure and media attention often become the only mechanisms capable of compelling parties to respond to such incidents. As a result, issues of transparency, accountability, and ethics remain at the forefront of public debate, with each new case prompting a review of internal procedures and standards of conduct within political organizations.
