Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

POLITICS

PSOE in spotlight over Madrid chief sacking

Spain´s socialist party was thrown into chaos on Wednesday when its Madrid chief refused to step aside quietly after being sacked over allegations of misconduct.

Published: 11 February 2015 17:02 CET

PSOE in spotlight over Madrid chief sacking

Tomás Gómez with former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, May 2011. Photo: Dani Pozo/AFP

Tomás Gómez, head of Madrid´s regional branch of the PSOE was dismissed on Wednesday morning after he failed to turn up to a meeting with party leader Pedro Sánchez to discuss an ongoing investigation into a construction project that Gómez led while mayor of Parla, a commuter town outside Madrid.

Under investigation is whether corruption was at play in the running of Parla´s hugely expensive tram project, the cost of which ballooned from €108 million to more than €250 million and pushed the town council into bankruptcy.

Under pressure with elections due later this year and after opinion polls showed support for the PSOE had plummeted in favour for new left wing party Podemos, the PSOE executive took the unexpected decision to axe Gómez.

The PSOE announced that Gómez had been dismissed on Wednesday morning with sources explaining that the decision was taken "as a measure to limit damage to the party image."

But just hours after the announcement Gómez, who was mayor of Parla between 1999 and 2008, called a press conference to say that he would not go quietly.

"I am going to defend my honor before the party," Gómez told reporters. "This has only just begun."

Refusing to rule out legal action against the PSOE leadership he insisted that the move to oust him had been "undemocratic".

"In keeping with the weakness of his leadership, Pedro Sánchez has joined the right-wing in its efforts to wear me down in an attempt to strengthen his internal power," Gómez said.

"This is a huge mistake with disastrous consequences for our party, and all of the upcoming electoral processes," Gomez warned, adding "I am going to defend democracy and this federation, and my honor, if it is necessary, in the courts."

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

'Pedro stay!': Thousands of Spanish PM's supporters take to the streets

The 52-year-old, who has been in office since 2018, stunned Spain on Wednesday when he put his resignation on the line after a Madrid court opened a preliminary investigation into suspected influence peddling and corruption against his spouse Begona Gomez.

Sanchez said he would suspend all public duties until he announces his decision on Monday. The normally hyperactive premier has since remained out of sight and silent.

“I need to stop and think whether I should continue to head the government or whether I should give up this honour,” he wrote in a four-page letter posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Supporters on Saturday held up placards saying “Spain needs you”, “Pedro don’t abandon us’, and shouted slogans such as “Pedro leader”.

“I hope that Sanchez will say on Monday that he will stay,” said Sara Domínguez, a consultant in her 30’s, adding that his government had “taken good steps for women, the LGBT community and minorities”.

Jose María Diez, a 44-year-old government official who came from Valladolid in northern Spain to express his support, said there was a real possibility that the far-right could take power if Sanchez quit.

“This will mean a step backwards for our rights and liberties,” he warned.

Inside the party headquarters, there were similar passionate appeals.

‘Pedro stay’

“Pedro stay. We are together and together we can … take the country forward, Spain can’t step back,” said Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero, the government number two.

“Today all democrats, all progressives, are summoned to Madrid against a pack whose only aim is to overthrow a democratic and legitimate government,” said Felix Bolanos, Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Parliamentary Relations.

At one point, Socialist leaders took to the streets to thank those gathered. “They won’t succeed,” government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria told the crowd.

The court opened the investigation into Sanchez’s wife in response to a complaint from anti-corruption pressure group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), whose leader is linked to the far right.

The group, which has presented a litany of unsuccessful lawsuits against politicians in the past, said on Wednesday its complaint was based on media reports and could not vouch for their veracity.

While the court did not give details of the case, online news site El Confidencial said it focused on links Gomez had to Spanish tourism group Globalia when carrier Air Europa was in talks with the government to secure a huge bailout.

The airline sought the bailout after it was badly hit by plunging paseenger numbers during the Covid-19 crisis.

At the time, Gomez was running IE Africa Centre, a foundation linked to Madrid’s Instituto de Empresa (IE) business school, which had signed a sponsorship agreement with Globalia in 2020.

Spain’s public prosecutors office on Thursday requested the dismissal of the investigation, which Sanchez said was part of a campaign of “harassment” against him and his wife waged by “media heavily influenced by the right and far right”.

If Sanchez decides to remain in office, he could choose to file a confidence motion in parliament to show that he and his minority government are still supported by a majority of lawmakers.

If he resigns, an early election could be called from July — a year after the last one — with or without Sanchez at the helm of the Socialist party.

The right-wing opposition has accused the prime minister of being irresponsible for putting the country on hold while he mulls his decision.

“It’s very clear to us that this is all a tactic… We know Pedro Sanchez and things with him always turn out like a soap opera,” Cuca Gamarra, the number two of the main opposition conservative Popular Party, said on Friday.

“He is making us all wait and the country is at a standstill,” she added.

Url copied to clipboard!