These Are the Three Scandals That Point to Podemos

Podemos is going through a controversy that has captured public attention, with the most recent one involving Juan Carlos Monedero. The controversy began in September 2023, the year in which the party received two complaints from women accusing Monedero of alleged episodes of sexual violence, according to EL MUNDO.

Eldiario revealed details about one of the testimonies presented against him. In response to these accusations, Podemos acted quickly, removing its co-founder and former leader from any activity within the party.

According to the chronology of events provided by Podemos, the incidents took place in September 2023, shortly after the general elections and during the negotiations for the investiture. In this context, the party received an email denouncing Monedero's behavior, which "could constitute sexual violence," requesting that internal measures be taken in this regard.

Íñigo Errejón, in the Midst of the Controversy

In October 2023, Íñigo Errejón, another of the party's co-founders, announced his resignation, ending his political career. Errejón's decision came after being involved in a case of alleged sexual harassment.

He was accused of having an aggressive and humiliating attitude toward women, including presenter and actress Elisa Mouiliáa, who accused him of sexual assault.

Mouiliáa detailed that Errejón used alarming expressions, such as "violently." She also claimed to have felt "intimidated," describing the incident as something that happened "without her consent."

Pablo Iglesias's 'Sexist Joke' Controversy

The controversy also reached Pablo Iglesias, a former colleague of Errejón and former leader of Podemos. In 2016, Iglesias was involved in a scandal due to an internal message in the Podemos leaders' chat. There, he allegedly made an inappropriate comment about journalist and presenter Mariló Montero, stating that he "would whip her until she bled."

Mariló Montero filed a complaint with the Women's Institute, which described Iglesias's statements as "absolutely unacceptable for their sexist nature and for inciting violence." In response, Iglesias was forced to apologize publicly, acknowledging that his comment was "an unforgivable sexist joke," and expressed feeling "very ashamed." He assured that it was a private Telegram message and that it had not been appropriate.

"The only thing one can do in this case is apologize, ask for forgiveness and acknowledge that he did wrong," Iglesias explained about the situation.