The 41st Federal Congress of the PSOE began this Friday in Seville with corruption as the only theme and will end on Sunday with two major absences: that of the president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Pageand that of the general secretary of the Aragonese socialists, Javier Lambánboth very critical of Pedro Sánchez.
The sit-in of the two, which will take place on the same day that Sánchez will deliver his only speech at the congress, predicts that the regional congresses that the PSOE will experience starting next Monday will be very harsh in some territories.
Indeed, Ferraz expects some difficulties in federations like those of Aragon, Cantabria, Andalusia, Castile and León and Extremadura, where the current barons will most likely have to face other alternatives to the within the general secretariat, some promoted by Ferraz.
The official version of Page’s absence is that he’s having scheduling issues. However, according to sources close to the Castilian-Manchego president, he does not intend to stay for Sánchez’s speech in avoid the photo of everyone applauding the general secretary and him with his arms crossed.
Page will be in Seville, where he arrived this Friday, and will leave on Sunday morning, before the speeches. In fact, the socialist baron settled in a different hotel from that of the majority of leaders. The distance is not only ideological, but also physical in this case.
However, he will not have to face a primary procedure. Within the party, there is a rule – even if it is not in the statutes – according to which if a general secretary is president of his autonomous community, no alternative candidate is sought.
Lambán’s absence will be greater, however. The general secretary of the Aragonese Socialists did not attend the start of the congress this Friday and will not be present all weekend. The version they convey from those around them is that he is seeking to “give way” to those who will take over, since he does not intend to run in the elections at the head of the Aragonese PSOE.
The Aragonese delegation to this congress is represented by Dario VillagrasaOrganizing Secretary of the regional party. Although Lambán has not yet designated a successor, it seems that a battle for power could take place in this autonomous community, since Moncloa opens the way for the appearance of the government spokesperson, Pilar Alegria.
The only territorial fire that has been deactivated against Pedro Sánchez in recent days is that of Juan Lobatofrom Madrid. Lobato intended to fight to continue leading his federation, but this week he ended up resigning after being involved in a process that could result in Moncloa revealing secrets, an even more serious problem.
“Spies” in the debates
Before the corruption surrounding the president of the government became the main theme of this congress, many socialists were already preoccupied with the internal debate related to issues such as single financingwhich will have to be addressed in the various commissions which will be held this weekend.
The party arrived at the congress with a framework presentation that addressed financing in a very vague way, but the various amendments presented by the territories will force it to enter fully into the debate and the critical barons place their own “spies” in these commissions . . rope to try to defend their interests.
As explained by the PSOE of Extremadura, whose general secretary opposed the Catalan quota agreed by the central government and the ERC, its officials will defend “financing very rooted in the State”. “They will try to promote a model for Spain in which place of residence does not matter and in which there will be a redistribution of wealth,” the sources comment.
The Secretary General of Extremadura, Miguel Angel Gallardois also not of Sánchez’s caliber and arrived at the head of his federation a few months ago, thus winning Ferraz’s bet. Those around them hope that Moncloa will not promote an alternative candidacy, but this cannot yet be taken for granted: we will find out on Monday during the presentation of the candidates.
Page, for his part, placed the deputy and organizational secretary of the PSOE Castilian-Manchego in the commissions, Sergio Gutiérrezof your complete confidence and to the Treasury advisor of your community, Juan Alfonso Ruiz Molinaaccording to EL ESPAÑOL-EL DIGITAL CLM this Friday.
