Sánchez's ally quits Socialist party post amid sexual harassment allegations
Salazar, one of the names proposed by Sánchez for the party's revamped leadership, stepped down after several women accused him of sexual harassment and abuse of power, Spanish outlet ElDiario.es revealed . His resignation comes before his appointment had formally taken effect.
The announcement has cast a shadow over the PSOE's highest decision-making body meeting on Saturday, which was meant to mark a fresh start for the party's executive leadership with new appointments and a stricter code of ethics.
It is also the latest in a series of scandals threatening to shake the foundations of the EU's most powerful socialist-led government and the bloc's fourth-largest economy.
Sánchez had already vowed to implement internal restructuring measures in June to address the fallout from a report from the Guardia Civil's top investigative unit linking his party to a 'mafia-style' corruption scheme involving close allies and former cabinet members.
So far, those implicated include former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán, Sánchez's long-time confidant and former PSOE's organisation secretary.
Sánchez has repeatedly affirmed his party's 'zero-tolerance policy' towards corruption and that immediate and harsh measures 'had already been taken' against his close allies accused of embezzlement of public funds, as Cerdán voluntarily resigned from his post.
Salazar, Sánchez's adviser since 2016, was due to join the new secretariat of organisation as one of three deputy secretaries. The body is headed by Rebeca Torró, the current secretary of state for industry, and also includes Anabel Mateos and Borja Cabezón.
'The party totally rejects sexist behaviours,' government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, reportedly said on Saturday upon learning of the statements, adding that the PSOE will 'vigorously take measures' against such behaviour.
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