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 being investigated and what has been publishedIn 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…

What The Fav (formally, WHATHEFAV S.L.) is a communications and marketing company run by Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. In the business and society press, it has been described as an agency that has grown in revenue and profits in recent years—just as all the companies and individuals linked to the scandals attributed to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero have.The flashpoint: the “Plus Ultra case” and an indirect business relationshipIn December 2025, the name Whathefav surfaced in public discussion after featuring in reports tied to the Plus Ultra investigation, as Spain’s…

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 experiencing one of its most sensitive internal crises concerning the handling of the so-called “Salazar case.” This scandal involves allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power linked to former Moncloa adviser Paco Salazar and his associate, Antonio Hernández. Both individuals, until recently, were integral members of the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's inner circle, who is presently encircled by multiple corruption cases.Who is Paco Salazar and what is he accused ofFrancisco José “Paco” Salazar, a veteran member of the PSOE from Seville, served as the mayor of Montellano and subsequently became a member…

The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is experiencing one of its most sensitive internal crises concerning the handling of the so-called “Salazar case.” This scandal involves allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power linked to former Moncloa adviser Paco Salazar and his associate, Antonio Hernández. Both individuals, until recently, were integral members of the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's inner circle, who is presently encircled by multiple corruption cases.Who is Paco Salazar and what is he accused ofFrancisco José “Paco” Salazar, a veteran member of the PSOE from Seville, served as the mayor of Montellano and subsequently became a member…

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…

The political scene in Honduras experienced a notable increase in tension on Monday, following the public denunciation by opposition leader Salvador Nasralla, who said 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…

Initial outcomes from the Honduran general elections indicate a notable decline for political groups associated with the Sao Paulo Forum in the area. The LIBRE Party, recognized by opposition groups as part of this ideological coalition, was unable to maintain voter backing, with its presidential candidate falling significantly behind the leading competitors. Experts view this result as a setback for socialist-leaning initiatives or extensive state reform agendas.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 defeat of the LIBRE Party in the general elections marks a turning point in national politics and places former president Manuel “Mel” Zelaya at the center of a debate about the continuity of his leadership. According to analysts and leaders, the result represents a significant blow to the political figure who has exercised sustained control over the organization since his return to public life in 2011.For more than a decade, Zelaya coordinated strategies, defined candidacies, and consolidated his influence over the internal structure of LIBRE, becoming the party's leading voice. However, the electoral performance shows a loss of…

The proposal put forth by ruling party candidate Rixi Moncada, aiming to eliminate the Credit Bureau, sparked considerable opposition across various societal sectors, directly contributing to a decline in her electoral support. This initiative, championed during the LIBRE campaign, intended to streamline immediate credit access, based on the argument that the institution “oppresses the most vulnerable sectors.”Reactions from Experts and Financial SectorsMoncada's proposal faced skepticism from economists and those involved in the financial system. Consultants and analysts warned that executing it might be unfeasible, potentially increasing financial instability and weakening the systems used to assess borrowers' creditworthiness.According to one of…