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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 read more 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