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Monday, Jun 09, 2025

Political Turmoil in Spain: Feijóo Criticizes Sánchez and Party Scandals Emerge

Growing discontent among voters as political scandals intensify, leading to demands for early elections.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party (PP), has described the recent Conference of Presidents as a 'nonsense,' asserting that the lack of agreements and consensus between the Spanish government and autonomous communities highlights a significant failure in governance.

Speaking at a political event in Santander, Feijóo criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for his inability to forge cooperative relationships with regional leaders, stating, 'I have attended more than 20 conferences of presidents and have never experienced a nonsense like yesterday's,' emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the absence of institutional dialogue.

In the wake of this criticism, the government faces scrutiny regarding the appointment of Leire Díez, known for her strong connections within the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

Díez served as director of Products and Services at Correos, overseeing a vast network of more than 2,500 offices and 9,400 employees.

Her ascension to prominent roles within Correos was facilitated by her close ties to Juan Manuel Serrano, former president of the organization and a key figure in Sánchez's administration.

The motion has prompted parliamentarians from the PP to register up to 12 questions in Congress demanding clarifications on the hiring process and Díez's responsibilities.

Díez's career trajectory at Correos has raised eyebrows, especially following a report attributing her advancement to a lack of relevant experience.

She initially joined the postal service as head of Institutional Relations in November 2021, quickly rising to the position of Director of Philately and ultimately directing the entire office network.

The PP is now demanding transparency regarding her recruitment process, the positions she was appointed to, her salary, and her role in overseeing the mail-in voting process during the recent elections.

Public sentiment is shifting markedly, with recent polling indicating an increase from 65.7% to 70.6% in the number of Spaniards advocating for immediate elections.

This surge in demand is attributed to various political controversies involving the PSOE and allegations of misconduct surrounding key figures in the government.

Notably, the PP asserts that a significant minority of PSOE voters—31.1%—now supports the idea of early elections.

This sentiment is echoed across demographic lines, especially among nationalist voters, 38% of whom believe that Sánchez should call for elections.

Conversely, support for extending the current legislature is evident among the majority of PSOE voters and those aligned with Podemos, revealing a stark divide in public opinion.

Political agitation has intensified amid recent revelations regarding Sánchez's communications with former ministers, where he expressed derogatory sentiments towards fellow party members and constituents.

The political landscape further complicates with accusations directed at the PSOE regarding efforts to discredit judicial figures investigating corruption allegations within the party.

Controversies have escalated with allegations against Díez for her involvement in facilitating intelligence against judges and prosecutors.

Reports suggest she has interacted with businesspeople embroiled in corruption cases, further entrenching the narrative of a governance crisis.

This convergence of political unrest leads into public demonstrations, with the PP organizing a rally in Madrid under the banner 'Mafia or Democracy.' The government, for its part, has attempted to downplay participation numbers at these events amidst critiques of its handling of recent scandals.

Despite claims of failure from the PSOE regarding participation, the PP asserts substantial turnout, reflecting the ongoing tension and escalation in Spain's political discourse as the demand for a responsive government continues to grow.
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