&w=3840&q=100)
Another setback for Spanish PM, trusted party official resigns over allegations of sexual harassment
While he tries to save his government from getting toppled due to damaging corruption allegations, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez suffered another severe setback. A party official for Spain's ruling socialist party resigned over accusations of sexual harassment.
The Spanish premier was hoping that in the weekend meeting of the federal committee of his Spanish Socialist Workers' party ( PSOE) would be able to move past all the scandals and corruption charges. However, such hopes faltered on Friday night after an online newspaper, El Diario, published allegations from various female PSOE workers who said that they had been subjected to sexual harassment by Francisco Salazar.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
It is pertinent to note that Salazar oversaw the institutional coordination at the Moncloa Palace, the office and official residence of the prime minister. The accusation prompted Salazar to announce on Saturday that he was stepping down from his position and his new role as the deputy in the PSOE's organisational secretariat.
Salazar's confusing response to accusations
While speaking to El Diario about the accusation, the Spanish party official said that he could not recall any inappropriate interactions. 'I've racked my brains over it and it seems mind-boggling to me,' he said. 'I keep wondering if I've screwed up and said something inappropriate to a workmate, and the truth is, I can't find [an example].'
Sources working at Moncola in Madrid told the Spanish newspaper that the party has launched an investigation, but also mentioned that no official complaint had been lodged against Salazar.
On Saturday, Sánchez had to apologise once again for what he described as misplaced confidence in those accused of wrongdoing, adding: 'I was wrong to place my trust in people who didn't deserve it, but we won't fall short in a time of democratic regeneration.' misplaced confidence in those accused of wrongdoing, adding: 'I was wrong to place my trust in people who didn't deserve it, but we won't fall short in a time of democratic regeneration.'
The prime minister is facing immense pressure to call for snap polls, since he has already maintained that he would not step down. 'The captain doesn't shirk his responsibility when the sea gets rough; he stays put to ride out the storm and guide the ship to port,' he said.
On Monday, Santos Cerdán, who served as the PSOE's organisational secretary and was Sánchez's right-hand man, was remanded in custody after a supreme court judge found 'firm evidence' of his possible involvement in taking kickbacks on public construction contracts. Hence, Sánchez will be navigating rough waters as he deals with one scandal after another.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Where is Bryan Vasquez? Search underway in New Orleans East for 12-y/o boy with autism, family demands Amber Alert
A search is underway for a missing boy, 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, who has not been seen since Thursday, August 14, in New Orleans East. Vasquez went missing from his family's New Orleans East home, following which searches are being conducted using boats, divers, and thermal drones. Where is Bryan Vasquez? Search underway in New Orleans East for 12-y/o boy with autism, family demands Amber Alert (New Orleans Police Department) Vasquez is autistic and non-verbal, and vanished after he slipped out of a bedroom window. He does not have his seizure medication with him, WAFB reported. Vasquez was reported missing to the New Orleans Police Department at 10 am on Thursday. He suffers from a neurodevelopmental condition, is nonverbal and does not understand English or Spanish, fox8live reported. Vasquez has been described as Hispanic. He has brown eyes and black hair, is 5′1″ and weighs between 86 and 100 pounds. He was seen on Ring doorbell video on Thursday morning, wearing just an adult diaper. Read More | Who is Gregory Groom? Missing Massachusetts teen Kylee Monteiro's BF arrested after remains found on his property Vasquez's family and volunteers have said they remain hopeful. 'We will have hope that Bryan is found safe. We will always have hope until the last minute and even after that,' Vasquez's mother, Christie said, per WAFB. 'If we recover Bryan's body for any chance that he's no longer with us, we will still be grateful that we're able to find him.' Bryan Vasquez's family wants an Amber Alert Vasquez's family, supported by community spokesperson Christiane Rosales Fajardo, has said that an endangered missing child advisory is not enough. They have demanded that an Amber Alert be issued. 'We need an Amber Alert. It's never too late for an Amber Alert. And we need the city and state leaders to be out here with this family, using their resources to help us find Bryan,' Fajardo said, according to WWLTV. Read More | Kylee Monteiro's friend says pregnant teen was going through something painful before death, 'I felt a longing to help' Louisiana State Police explained that Amber Alerts require confirmation of an abduction, under Department of Justice guidelines. This standard was not met in Vasquez's case, they said. A Level II Endangered Missing Child advisory has been issued instead. His information is being displayed on highway signs and shared on social media. Several neighbors and volunteers from as far as Mississippi and Texas have joined the search for Vasquez. Some said they were motivated to help by their own experiences raising autistic children. The NOPD has urged all residents in the area of Chef Menteur Highway to Dwyer Road to Michoud Boulevard to Interstate 510 to check their backyards, under raised homes/buildings and other places, just in case it helps locate Vasquez. Anyone with information about his whereabouts has been asked to call 911.
The Print
a day ago
- The Print
Foreign missions get a reminder from MEA, ‘commercial activities' not exempt from tax
Government sources told ThePrint that a reminder was sent to all foreign missions earlier this month highlighting that cultural centres of any country are not 'exempt from taxation' if they are carrying out 'commercial activities'. The source added that these guidelines are nothing new. Subsequent to the notice, the cultural centre operated by the Italian Embassy in New Delhi has delayed the start of its language courses and suspended payments for membership as it 'awaits' updated guidelines from the local authorities. New Delhi: A number of foreign missions operating cultural centres in India recently received a reminder from the Ministry of External Affairs that 'commercial activities' are not exempt from taxation under the laws of the land. A notice on the website of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre (IIC) says, 'Please be advised that all membership payments are temporarily suspended until further notice. This decision has been made as we await updated guidelines from the local authorities regarding our operations.' Further, it also delayed the start date of its language courses to mid-September. The IIC is one of a number of cultural centres active in New Delhi. In recent years, foreign missions in India have begun focusing on increasing their cultural footprint in the city, along with popularising their cuisines. The Korean Cultural Centre runs Dal-Grak, a popular Korean restaurant, while the Alliance Française, the Indo-French cultural centre, runs Cafe Bistro Français. The Ethiopian Cultural Centre reopened last year, and also has a restaurant on its premises. The Goethe-Institut is Germany's cultural institution operating language courses in India. Spain runs the Instituto Cervantes, teaching Indians Spanish. The IIC, apart from language courses, also has an Italian restaurant, Diva, on its premises. The Italian centre further runs a library with over 8,000 books and conducts a number of cultural events weekly for its members. The promotion of cultural linkages is supported under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, as well as the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. If any foreign mission wishes to open a cultural section on its premises, it must be declared by the country and accepted by the host nation, in this case India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) operates a number of cultural centres abroad. Since at least 1950, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has been active in promoting Indian cultural activities abroad. The ICCR operates over 30 cultural centres abroad, according to its website. Its aims include to establish, revive and strengthen the cultural relations between India and other countries, and to promote cultural exchanges. The MEA assumed both operational and administrative jurisdiction of the ICCR in 1970 from the Ministry of Education. Cultural centres have also come to represent their countries locally. Last year, the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka was vandalised and torched by protesters during the anti-government protests. The protests eventually led to the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi. Hasina was accused by her detractors of being too close to India. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: House panel suggests coordination committee to help India's soft power projection, cultural diplomacy
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
How did Ariela La Langosta die? Westchester County Police's statement after NY influencer's death; ‘Not a random act'
Ariela La Langosta, a social media personality who appeared in rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine's 2023 music video Wapae, passed away at the age of 33. Ariela La Langosta found dead in her car on the Cross County Parkway on Sunday.(Ariela La Langosta/Instagram) According to the Westchester County Police Department in New York, the model, whose true name is Ariela Mejia-Polanco, was discovered dead in her car on the Cross County Parkway on August 17. The Police Department posted a statement on Facebook, confirming that they conducted a preliminary investigation, determining that Ariela was 'likely targeted for violence' and died from gunshot wounds. 'The woman found deceased in her car on the Cross County Parkway on Sunday died as a result of gunshot wounds, the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed today,' police stated. Stressing that her death was 'not a random act,' the police said that the General Investigations Unit investigators are still investigating the homicide. Other local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities have offered assistance to the police throughout the ongoing inquiry. Ariela La Langosta dies at 33: Police probe underway 'Due to that ongoing investigation, additional details are not being disclosed at this time,' police added. With over 566,000 Instagram followers, the social media celebrity frequently posted fashion and modeling-related posts. Also Read: 'What a weirdo'; James Comey's 'On Taylor Swift' video draws huge backlash, here's what he said Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine pays condolence Ariela La Langosta Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine paid his respects to his longtime pal on social media on Sunday night. He referred to her as a 'tremendous woman' and the 'queen of New York' in a number of videos posted to his Instagram Story. A sample of their favorite song, Aventura's early 2000s smash 'Obsesión,' was included with his tribute to the Dominican content creator, which read, 'You supported me in everything.' 'My sister. NY won't ever be the same. I loved you,' he added. Later, the rapper posted other videos of the model along with the Spanish phrases "Yo te ami" and "Mi nogra," which mean "I love you" and "My wife," respectively. Ikon New York in Inwood, where Ariela worked, also paid their tribute on Instagram on Sunday, saying: 'Today we lost our shining star.' 'Our hearts are broken. Your joy, your humility, and the way you treated everyone with so much care always made you stand out. Thank you for giving so much love and support to our home, which also became yours.'
