Politics

The crisis of harassment allegations impacting Spain’s PSOE saw a new addition this week: Francisco Luis Fernández Rodríguez, who had been the Socialist mayor of Belalcázar (Córdoba), stepped down and asked to withdraw his party membership following the publication by various media of messages reportedly sent by him to a municipal subordinate.What is under investigation and what has been releasedIn coverage by RTVE / EFE, the case is framed as one of two complaints processed through the party’s internal reporting channel (the other involves a PSPV-PSOE figure in Valencia). Regarding Belalcázar, RTVE reports that the mayor resigned “after being singled…

The role of Susana Sumelzo, who is presently the Secretary of State for Ibero-America and a Socialist leader historically aligned with Pedro Sánchez, has swiftly transitioned from institutional discretion to being at the center of media attention. Numerous press articles have highlighted public contracts granted to firms associated with her family and her ties to companies under scrutiny in the so-called “Koldo case” and the alleged network involving Santos Cerdán, which has reignited the discussion on potential conflicts of interest within the Prime Minister’s inner circle.Who is Susana Sumelzo and what role does she play in “sanchismo”?Susana Sumelzo Jordán (Zaragoza,…

The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is going through one of its most delicate internal crises over the management of the so-called “Salazar case”, the scandal of alleged sexual harassment and abuse of power that implicates former Moncloa adviser Paco Salazar and his right-hand man, Antonio Hernández, both of whom, until just a few days ago, were part of the closest circle of trust of the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who is currently surrounded by numerous corruption cases.Who is Paco Salazar and what accusations is he facingFrancisco José “Paco” Salazar, a veteran member of the PSOE from Seville, served as…

Seven days before the general elections, Honduras is experiencing a period of high political tension. The LIBRE Party, currently in power, is at the center of allegations of alleged attempts at electoral fraud, causing concern among the opposition, political analysts, and both national and international observer organizations.Various sectors have reported irregularities in the pre-election scenario, including pressure on key institutions, the political use of state resources, and rhetoric that could prepare the population to question the results if they do not favor the ruling party. Although LIBRE has rejected these accusations, the level of mistrust remains high.One political analyst consulted…

Seven days before the general elections, Honduras is experiencing a period of high political tension. The LIBRE Party, currently in power, is at the center of allegations of alleged attempts at electoral fraud, causing concern among the opposition, political analysts, and both national and international observer organizations.Various sectors have pointed out irregularities in the pre-election environment, including pressure on critical institutions, the biased use of state resources, and rhetoric that could prepare the public to question the results if they do not favor the ruling party. Although LIBRE has rejected these claims, the level of distrust remains significantly high.One political…

The political landscape in Honduras saw a significant rise in strain on Monday, after opposition figure Salvador Nasralla publicly claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro might be attempting to sway the general elections set for November 30.During a press conference, Nasralla mentioned the existence of “worrying movements and signs” that, according to him, would indicate possible foreign intervention in the electoral process. Although he did not present concrete evidence, he called for maximum vigilance both nationally and internationally. "The Honduran people will not allow external forces to influence their democracy. We are seeing patterns reminiscent of manipulation practices in other…

Preliminary results from the general elections in Honduras show a significant setback for the political forces associated with the Sao Paulo Forum in the region. The LIBRE Party, identified by opposition sectors as part of this ideological bloc, failed to maintain public support, and its presidential candidate fell far behind the main contenders. Analysts believe that this outcome represents a setback for socialist-oriented projects or plans for profound state restructuring.Message from the Electorate and Public ConcernsThroughout the election campaign, diverse political and economic stakeholders expressed apprehensions about certain proposals from the ruling party, especially those related to the restructuring of…

The recent electoral loss experienced by the LIBRE Party marks a crucial juncture in the nation's political landscape, positioning former president Manuel “Mel” Zelaya at the center of a debate about the direction of his leadership. Political analysts and figures concur that this result represents a significant blow to the prominent individual who has held steady influence over the organization since his return to public life in 2011.For over a decade, Zelaya orchestrated strategies, shaped candidacies, and solidified his authority within the internal framework of LIBRE, emerging as the party's principal figure. Nevertheless, recent electoral outcomes indicate a decline in…

The initiative introduced by the ruling party's candidate, Rixi Moncada, which seeks to dismantle the Credit Bureau, has encountered significant resistance from multiple segments of society, leading to a noticeable drop in her voter backing. This measure, promoted throughout the LIBRE campaign, was designed to facilitate instant credit availability, supported by the claim that the institution “oppresses the most vulnerable sectors.”Reactions from experts and financial sectorsMoncada's proposal encountered reservations from economists and financial system stakeholders. Consultants and analysts cautioned that its implementation would be impractical, potentially escalating financial uncertainty and undermining mechanisms for evaluating borrowers' creditworthiness.According to one of the…

Preliminary outcomes from the general elections in Honduras reveal a significant loss for the ruling party, led by Rixi Moncada and the LIBRE Party, highlighting voters' rejection of proposals considered radical and a remarkable change in the electorate's political preferences.The ruling party bloc focused its campaign on the so-called “democratization of the economy” and a discourse of “refounding” the country, with proposals that included structural reforms, tax increases on higher-income sectors, and expansion of the state's role in strategic sectors. However, the response of the electorate reflected mistrust and alarm, particularly in a sensitive economic scenario, where stability and job…