Carmen Romero: Pressure on Prime Minister's Family and Division in PSOE Escalate Conflict. Carmen Romero stated that attacks on Pedro Sánchez's family reflect a new level of political hardness. She believes that this period is even more challenging for the government than the final years of Felipe González at La Moncloa.
Political tension is mounting in Spain around Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his family. Former lawmaker and ex-wife of Felipe González, Carmen Romero, stated that the current wave of pressure on the government and its inner circle is more complex than even the final years of González's tenure in La Moncloa. In her view, the opposition is exploiting internal divisions within the PSOE to strengthen its own position and target not only Sánchez himself but also those close to him.
The role of women and pressure on the family
Romero notes that amid rising far-right sentiment and attacks on equality policies, she is often asked to support PSOE campaigns in Andalusia. She emphasizes that the participation of women who played a significant role in the past is especially important in the current political struggle. According to her, the attacks on Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, go beyond journalistic investigations and have become outright persecution, which, in Romero's opinion, is unacceptable in a democratic society.
Exploiting the PSOE split
According to Romero, the opposition is actively utilizing public disagreements between the party's former leaders, such as Felipe González and Alfonso Guerra, and the current leadership. She believes that it is advantageous for right-wing forces to highlight internal conflicts in the PSOE to weaken Sánchez's position. Romero is convinced that this divide-and-rule tactic has long been used in Spanish politics, and now it is once again becoming a tool of pressure.
Comparison with the past and challenges for the party
Romero recalls that in the 1990s, the González government also faced serious crises, but in her view, the current situation is more complicated due to global pressure and aggressive capitalism. She points out that criticism of the legitimacy of Sánchez's government began from the very start of his term, and the opposition refused to accept him from the first days. Within the party, according to Romero, there is still support for a course of modernization and the defense of women's rights, but unity is needed to withstand external pressure.
Personal stance and experience
Romero emphasizes that she has always tried to maintain a balance between public duties and personal life. She opposes creating special statuses for spouses of state leaders, believing that this infringes on their right to privacy. At the same time, she allows for the possibility of discussing in parliament the issue of asset disclosure by spouses of high-ranking officials if this helps prevent conflicts of interest.
Consequences for family and party
The former MP admits her own family also faced pressure during their time at La Moncloa, and the repercussions of those years are still felt. She believes that attacks on politicians' families leave deep scars and should not become the norm. In her opinion, after the ERE case in Andalusia, the party was left with trauma, and even after some defendants were acquitted, there is still a need to restore their reputation and respect for their work.
Assessment of the situation in Andalusia and Europe
Romero criticizes the policies of current Andalusia leader Juan Manuel Moreno, noting the deterioration of healthcare and education, as well as the growing number of residents forced to turn to private services. She emphasizes that the region needs not just promises of stability but real reforms. Speaking about the role of the European Union, Romero expresses concern over the rise of far-right movements in France and Germany, and believes that US policy is aimed at weakening Europe.
In the international context, Romero notes that Pedro Sánchez is highly regarded for his stance on conflicts in the Middle East and Iran, as well as for his ability to anticipate developments. Questions about the future of the PSOE and its leader remain open, but Romero emphasizes her support for the acting prime minister.
In the context of political conflicts in Spain, it is worth noting that similar disputes and differences between the leadership and former leaders are seen in other fields as well, as recently occurred in the football club Villarreal, where after a successful season the management and the coach could not reach an agreement on future cooperation. Read more about this in the article about Villarreal’s parting with their coach after qualifying for the Champions League.
