The sudden resignation of Íñigo Errejón, a prominent figure in Spain’s Sumar coalition, has shaken the political landscape in the country. Errejón, who had been accused of sexual abuse by actress Elisa Mouliaá, decided to step down from his position as spokesperson for the left-wing coalition. The accusations emerged after Spanish journalist Cristina Fallarás shared an anonymous post alleging psychological abuse by a “well-known Madrid-based politician”. Mouliaá publicly identified Errejón as her alleged abuser, leading to a formal complaint being lodged against him. In response to the allegations, Errejón made a veiled reference to the situation in his resignation post, hinting at his struggle with building better relationships and ways of life.
The scandal surrounding Errejón’s resignation has further weakened the already struggling Sumar coalition, which has seen a decline in support in recent elections. The party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz had already stepped back from her leadership role due to the loss of support. The coalition government, which relies on smaller parties for its stability, now faces increased vulnerability amidst the controversy. This situation comes at a critical time as negotiations for the year’s budget are becoming more complex. The scandal is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened awareness around abuse of power in public life in Spain, following previous high-profile cases.
Errejón, who played a significant role in the formation of the far-left party Podemos before joining Sumar, had been a prominent figure in Spanish politics for over a decade. In response to the allegations against him, Sumar has initiated an internal investigation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed his support for women facing abuse while affirming his trust in Díaz and the Sumar coalition. Sánchez emphasized the importance of swift and decisive action in such cases, particularly for a feminist government like theirs. The opposition People’s Party has called on Díaz to clarify when she first became aware of the allegations against Errejón, who had been considered a potential successor for the Sumar leadership.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that a formal complaint had been lodged against Errejón by Elisa Mouliaá, who accused him of sexual harassment during a private gathering in September 2021. Mouliaá described the events as involving non-consensual touching and violent behavior that left her unable to react. The domestic press reported that Errejón admitted to “machismo” in a conversation with Sumar’s leadership, acknowledging his inappropriate behavior towards women. The allegations have raised questions about the treatment of women in politics and society, prompting calls for accountability and transparency in political leadership.
The allegations against Errejón have not only tarnished his reputation but also cast a shadow over the Sumar coalition and the Spanish political landscape as a whole. The scandal has highlighted the challenges faced by feminist-aligned platforms like Sumar in maintaining public support and navigating complex political dynamics. The coalition government’s reliance on smaller parties for stability adds to its vulnerability in times of crisis. Prime Minister Sánchez’s response to the situation has underscored the importance of taking swift and decisive action to address allegations of abuse, particularly within the context of a feminist government like his own. The outcome of the internal investigation initiated by Sumar will be closely watched as the party seeks to rebuild trust and address the fallout from Errejón’s resignation.
