In Madrid, Vox party deputy José María Sánchez has once again found himself at the center of a parliamentary scandal. This time, his behavior in the Congress chamber led to one of the most high-profile scenes in recent years: Sánchez left his seat, approached the presidium, and got into a heated exchange with the acting chairman, Socialist Alfonso Rodríguez Gómez de Celis. According to El Pais, such an open confrontation between a deputy and the chamber leadership has not been recalled even by veteran parliamentarians.
Open conflict in the chamber
The incident occurred during the discussion of a PSOE initiative regarding the burning of books by Francoists. Sánchez, known for his harsh manner, began to interrupt speakers and shout out comments from his seat. After a verbal altercation with ERC deputy Jordi Salvador, Sánchez tried to halt the session, demanding a response to insults directed at him. He was repeatedly called to order, but after three warnings he was removed from the chamber to the applause of most factions, except for Vox and PP.
Previous violations
This is not the first time Sánchez has been involved in high-profile incidents. In 2021, he was removed from the chamber for insulting Socialist Laura Berja during abortion debates. At the time, the Vox group tried to block his exit, which led to the suspension of the session. Similar episodes involving Sánchez have become regular, and his speeches are often accompanied by derogatory remarks aimed at women deputies, including those from the Partido Popular.
Professional background and views
Despite his controversial reputation in parliament, Sánchez has an impressive legal background: he is a retired magistrate, doctor of law, professor at the University of Seville, and a former employee of the European Court. In 1996, he briefly worked in Aznar’s first government but was dismissed after a month and a half. In his public statements, Sánchez has repeatedly criticized equality laws and opposed same-sex marriage, and has made sharp comparisons and sarcastic remarks about his colleagues.
Reaction and consequences
After being removed from the chamber, Sánchez continued his protest in the office of Congress President Francina Armengol and told journalists he considers himself a victim. According to El Pais, representatives of other parties note that the Vox MP regularly interrupts speakers and provokes conflicts. His financial disclosure has also drawn attention: Sánchez owns several properties in Madrid, A Coruña, and Huelva, and he has nearly 700,000 euros in his bank accounts.
Scandals involving MPs and officials are not uncommon in Spain. For example, in Alicante, authorities recently admitted a lack of oversight in the allocation of exclusive VPP properties, which sparked significant public outcry and led to discussions about new approaches to housing distribution. More on this can be found in the article about violations in the allocation of exclusive VPPs in Alicante.
