Aliança Catalana has dismissed its Figueres candidate, Arnau Liesa, following revelations of his relationship with a minor. The party cited a breach of core principles and launched disciplinary proceedings.
Aliança Catalana has taken swift action in Girona, removing its candidate for Figueres, Arnau Liesa, after it emerged he was involved in a relationship with a minor. The party leadership announced the decision unanimously, citing a personal situation that conflicted with the party’s founding principles. The move was followed by Liesa’s own public statement, in which he confirmed his resignation from all party roles and acknowledged the relationship, specifying that the young woman is over 16 years old.
The party’s official communication, released on Sunday, did not initially detail the circumstances behind the decision. Instead, it emphasized that the issue had not been disclosed to party officials and was incompatible with the organization’s values. Shortly after, Liesa clarified the situation himself, explaining that he began a relationship with the young woman earlier this year, after she was no longer his student. He stressed that he had resigned from his teaching position before the relationship became intimate, describing the relationship as known within his personal circle but admitting it was a mistake not to inform the party leadership.
Liesa, 30, expressed agreement with the party’s decision and stated that he was stepping down from all organizational roles, not just his candidacy for mayor. He described the decision as difficult but necessary to prevent any harm to Aliança Catalana’s reputation. The party has also initiated internal disciplinary proceedings aimed at his expulsion, underscoring the seriousness with which it treats breaches of its ethical standards.
This incident comes at a time when political parties across Spain are under increased scrutiny regarding the conduct of their representatives. The case in Figueres highlights the challenges parties face in maintaining public trust and upholding internal codes of conduct. Similar tensions have surfaced in other high-profile situations, such as when Paula Badosa’s personal life drew public attention and sparked debate about the boundaries between private matters and public roles, as seen in the recent coverage of her split with Stefanos Tsitsipas (details here).
Under Spanish law, the age of sexual consent is 16, but relationships involving authority figures and minors can still raise ethical and legal questions, especially in educational settings. Political parties often respond decisively to such cases to protect their image and avoid broader reputational damage. Aliança Catalana’s response reflects a broader trend in Spanish politics, where transparency and adherence to ethical standards are increasingly demanded by both party members and the public.
