In recent months, the Spanish political scene has been in turmoil: explosive revelations, emotional statements, and attempts by the opposition to seize any pretext to attack the ruling party. Yet, despite all efforts, female voters have remained loyal to the Socialists. Latest polls show that women’s support for PSOE remains significantly higher than that of men, and this gap isn’t narrowing, even amid the scandals.
Many expected that recent events involving the behavior of certain party members would lead to mass disillusionment among female voters. But that hasn’t happened. The reason is that Spanish women clearly distinguish between the personal misconduct of individual politicians and the party’s long-term policies aimed at protecting their rights and freedoms. Over the decades, PSOE has become a symbol of reforms that changed the lives of millions of women— from legalizing divorce to enacting laws on equality and combating violence.
Scandals and electoral resilience
Attempts by the opposition to use isolated incidents to undermine trust in the Socialists have not had the expected impact. Women have not equated one person’s missteps with the position of the entire party. For many, what matters more than individual mistakes is a consistent policy that for decades has expanded their rights and opportunities.
While right-wing forces hoped for a ‘moral shock’ effect, the reality turned out differently. Spanish women have not forgotten who initiated key reforms, and they are not ready to change their views over isolated incidents. Moreover, the opposition’s attempts to equate personal missteps with political programs only intensified the sense of injustice and cynicism.
Historical Context and Generational Memory
Over the past forty years, Spain has transformed from a conservative society into one of Europe’s most progressive countries on gender equality. Socialists were the driving force behind most of these changes. Women remember how difficult these reforms were to achieve, and who stood against them. For many, returning to the days when their rights were restricted feels impossible.
The opposition, which for decades opposed expanding women’s rights, now faces distrust. Even if some socialist representatives make mistakes, it does not erase an entire era of change. Women make decisions based on long-term interests, not fleeting emotions.
The Divide Between the Personal and the Political
Spanish society has developed a clear understanding: personal misconduct should not be a reason to withdraw support from ideas that have proven effective. Women, especially those with progressive views, are not willing to sacrifice the future for the sake of punishing individual politicians. They demand accountability, but are not prepared to give their votes to those who have spent decades fighting against their rights.
As a result, despite all the opposition’s attempts to capitalize on scandals, the female electorate remains one of the most stable pillars of the socialists. This is not only the outcome of political decisions, but also of a deep historical memory that shapes attitudes toward current events.
