Politics

The harassment allegations crisis affecting Spain’s PSOE added a new name this week: Francisco Luis Fernández Rodríguez, until now the Socialist mayor of Belalcázar (Córdoba), who resigned and requested to leave the party as a member after several media outlets published messages attributed to him that were allegedly sent 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…

The figure of Susana Sumelzo, currently Secretary of State for Ibero-America and one of the Socialist leaders historically close to Pedro Sánchez, has in just a few days gone from institutional discretion to the eye of the media storm. Various press reports have focused on public contracts awarded to companies linked to her family and on her connections with companies under investigation in the so-called “Koldo case” and the alleged network surrounding Santos Cerdán, which has reignited the debate on possible conflicts of interest in the Prime Minister’s inner circle.Who is Susana Sumelzo and what role does she have in…

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 is he accused ofFrancisco José “Paco” Salazar, a long-standing PSOE member from Seville, was mayor of Montellano…

Seven days before the general elections, Honduras is experiencing a phase of increased political tension. The LIBRE Party, the ruling political entity, is confronted with allegations of alleged attempts at electoral fraud, which has sparked concern among the opposition, political analysts, and both national and international monitoring 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…

With only a few days left until the general elections in Honduras on November 30, the United States has ramped up its oversight of the electoral proceedings. This increased scrutiny comes amidst concerns raised by American analysts and legislators regarding potential irregularities. The oversight involves evaluating the transparency of the process, guaranteeing voter safety, and assessing institutional effectiveness, all with the primary goal of ensuring the outcomes accurately represent the public's wishes.Diplomatic circles in Washington have reported that several federal entities and legislative bodies have sought regular updates regarding the political climate in Honduras. The primary apprehension revolves around the…

The political scene in Honduras experienced a notable increase in tension on Monday, following opposition leader Salvador Nasralla's public assertion that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could be trying to influence the general elections scheduled 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 Honduran general elections reveal a significant setback for political forces aligned with the Sao Paulo Forum in the region. The LIBRE Party, identified by opposition factions as a component of this ideological bloc, failed to retain public support, with its presidential candidate trailing considerably behind the primary contenders. Analysts interpret this outcome as a reversal for socialist-oriented projects or ambitious state restructuring plans.Message from the electorate and citizen concernsDuring the election campaign, various political and economic actors voiced concerns regarding specific proposals from the ruling party, particularly those pertaining to the refounding of the state, increased…

The recent electoral defeat of the LIBRE Party signals a pivotal moment in national politics, placing former president Manuel “Mel” Zelaya at the heart of a discussion regarding the future of his leadership. Analysts and political figures agree that this outcome constitutes a substantial setback for the influential figure who has maintained consistent control over the organization since his re-entry into 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 legitimacy, necessitating a…

The proposal by ruling party candidate Rixi Moncada to eliminate the Credit Bureau generated significant rejection among different sectors of society, directly influencing the decline in her electoral support. The initiative, promoted during the LIBRE campaign, sought to facilitate immediate access to credit, arguing 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 specialists consulted, “the proposal was interpreted as populist and…

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…