The resignation of Íñigo Errejón, a prominent figure from Spain’s Sumar coalition, following allegations of sexual abuse, has dealt a significant blow to the already weakened party. Errejón, who served as the spokesperson for the left-wing coalition, announced his departure without directly addressing the accusations. The allegations emerged after actress Elisa Mouliaá publicly identified him as her alleged abuser, leading to a formal complaint being lodged with the Ministry of Interior. In her statement to the police, Mouliaá described an incident of alleged non-consensual touching and violence that left her paralyzed.
The scandal has further deepened the crisis within Sumar, which has been experiencing a decline in support in recent elections, prompting party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz to step back from her leadership role. The coalition government, reliant on the support of smaller parties, is now facing increased vulnerability in the midst of the controversy, especially as negotiations for the upcoming budget become more complex. The accusations against Errejón come at a time when Spain is already reeling from heightened awareness around abuse of power in public life, following last year’s case involving the president of the Spanish women’s national football team.
Errejón’s political career spans over a decade, having co-founded the far-left party Podemos before joining Más País and later becoming a part of Sumar. The party has initiated an internal investigation into the allegations against Errejón, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressing support for women facing abuse while reaffirming trust in Díaz and the Sumar coalition. Sánchez acknowledged the painful nature of the situation for a feminist government but emphasized the importance of swift and decisive action in response to such allegations. The opposition People’s Party has called on Díaz to clarify when she first became aware of the accusations against Errejón, who was considered a potential successor for the Sumar leadership.
The accusations against Errejón come amidst a broader societal context of increased scrutiny of abuses of power, particularly in relation to gender-based violence. The #MeToo movement has gained momentum in Spain, with more women coming forward to speak out against harassment and abuse. The case involving Errejón highlights the importance of addressing toxic masculinity and ensuring that women are believed and supported when they come forward with allegations of abuse. The Sumar coalition’s response to this crisis will be closely watched as they navigate the fallout from Errejón’s resignation and work to rebuild trust with their supporters.
The impact of Errejón’s resignation and the allegations of sexual abuse on the Sumar coalition cannot be understated, as they struggle to retain support and navigate complex political dynamics within the government. The crisis facing Sumar is not only a test of their ability to address internal issues but also a reflection of wider societal challenges around gender-based violence and the abuse of power. The outcome of the internal investigation and the steps taken by Sumar to address these allegations will be critical in determining their future and the extent to which they can rebuild public trust. As Spain grapples with these complex issues, the response of political leaders and parties will shape the country’s trajectory in addressing and preventing sexual abuse and harassment moving forward.
