The recent sex allegations against Iñigo Errejón, a prominent member of Spain’s far-left Sumar party, have opened a Pandora’s box, revealing the stark hypocrisy underlying claims of moral superiority often espoused by the political Left. Many women have come forward with allegations of Errejón’s sexual harassment and abuse. That Errejón behaved despicably toward women was hardly a secret among Sumar’s ranks, but this time it has turned out to be just too public to sweep under the rug. Last week, Errejón left his political life behind, and a storm was unleashed against him and his party.
This scandal serves as a potent reminder that the progressive ideals of equality and justice frequently mask a deeper reality: a troubling tendency toward moral corruption and deception within the very movements that profess to champion social issues such as women’s rights. For years, the Left has appointed itself the ‘guardian’ of progressive values, portraying its leaders as paragons of virtue who champion the rights of marginalised groups.
Iñigo Errejón’s case, however, brings into question this self-proclaimed moral high ground. How can a political faction that prides itself on advocating for women’s rights and social justice reconcile its rhetoric with the alleged actions of one of its own? The irony is palpable: those who preach about the importance of accountability and respect often fail to uphold these very principles in their own ranks. The good old Matthew 7:3-5: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”.
The Left’s narrative suggests that it is a bastion of equality and compassion, yet time and again, we witness a disconnect between their proclaimed values and the reality on the ground—e.g., the recent corruption and child prostitution scandals in the then-socialist-run regional governments in Valencia and the Balearic Islands.
The response to Errejón’s allegations highlights a culture of complicity that is all too common among progressive politicians. Instead of confronting misconduct head-on, there is a tendency to protect their own, revealing a willingness to overlook or dismiss serious accusations in favor of preserving political alliances and power. On the “Errejón affaire,” for instance, Sumar founder Yolanda Díaz has recently admitted that she knew of a case of one woman claiming a sexual assault by Errejón as far back as June of 2023, and she did virtually nothing about it in response. In fact, she appointed Errejón, by then an MP, as Sumar’s spokesperson in Congress.
This hypocrisy is not just about one individual; it is emblematic of a broader issue within the progressive Left. The reliance on moral superiority as a political strategy has resulted in a façade that, when cracked, exposes a troubling reality: many who seek to lead social change are themselves entangled in the very issues they claim to combat.
This scandal forces us to reconsider the credibility of a movement that often resorts to rhetoric over genuine accountability. For Errejón’s case is not an exception. Let us recall that Juan Carlos Monedero, a founder of the far-left Podemos party, faces similar allegations. Pablo Iglesias, another founder of the same party, was also accused of texting—referring to the journalist Mariló Montero—that he would “whip her until she bled”. In 2016, Mariló Montero decided to file a complaint at the Institute of Women against Pablo Iglesias for the comments. Iglesias, Monedero—and now Errejón. That’s a full house of alleged sexual harassment and possible abuse. So much for a women-loving organisation.
Compounding this issue is the increasingly problematic presumption of innocence for women and a corresponding presumption of guilt for men in cases of alleged misconduct. The rhetoric of “believe all women,” popularized in feminist movements like Spain’s International Women’s Day protests, has perilous implications. When accusations are made, the immediate assumption of guilt placed upon men undermines the principle of due process and fosters an environment where men are often seen as guilty until proven innocent. This setting now claims the reputation and public life of Errejón even if he were to prove his innocence—something that seems far-fetched as he has publicly stated that he is a sex addict and that he behaved abusively toward women. Innocent or guilty, it is yet another example of how a public figure’s reputation can be irrevocably tarnished based on unverified claims. It is time for a reality check.
In the wake of the Errejón scandal, the Left must grapple with its own shortcomings, as Spanish voters recognize that moral superiority should not be a shield for hypocrisy and that the Left is merely a vessel of empty slogans.
The Scandal That Exposes the Hypocrisy of the Spanish Left
Mas Pais party’s Iñigo Errejon speaks during a campaign meeting of Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Labor and Social Economy and radical-left alliance Sumar’s candidate in Valencia on July 8, 2023 ahead of July 23 general election.
Photo: Jose Jordan / AFP
The recent sex allegations against Iñigo Errejón, a prominent member of Spain’s far-left Sumar party, have opened a Pandora’s box, revealing the stark hypocrisy underlying claims of moral superiority often espoused by the political Left. Many women have come forward with allegations of Errejón’s sexual harassment and abuse. That Errejón behaved despicably toward women was hardly a secret among Sumar’s ranks, but this time it has turned out to be just too public to sweep under the rug. Last week, Errejón left his political life behind, and a storm was unleashed against him and his party.
This scandal serves as a potent reminder that the progressive ideals of equality and justice frequently mask a deeper reality: a troubling tendency toward moral corruption and deception within the very movements that profess to champion social issues such as women’s rights. For years, the Left has appointed itself the ‘guardian’ of progressive values, portraying its leaders as paragons of virtue who champion the rights of marginalised groups.
Iñigo Errejón’s case, however, brings into question this self-proclaimed moral high ground. How can a political faction that prides itself on advocating for women’s rights and social justice reconcile its rhetoric with the alleged actions of one of its own? The irony is palpable: those who preach about the importance of accountability and respect often fail to uphold these very principles in their own ranks. The good old Matthew 7:3-5: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”.
The Left’s narrative suggests that it is a bastion of equality and compassion, yet time and again, we witness a disconnect between their proclaimed values and the reality on the ground—e.g., the recent corruption and child prostitution scandals in the then-socialist-run regional governments in Valencia and the Balearic Islands.
The response to Errejón’s allegations highlights a culture of complicity that is all too common among progressive politicians. Instead of confronting misconduct head-on, there is a tendency to protect their own, revealing a willingness to overlook or dismiss serious accusations in favor of preserving political alliances and power. On the “Errejón affaire,” for instance, Sumar founder Yolanda Díaz has recently admitted that she knew of a case of one woman claiming a sexual assault by Errejón as far back as June of 2023, and she did virtually nothing about it in response. In fact, she appointed Errejón, by then an MP, as Sumar’s spokesperson in Congress.
This hypocrisy is not just about one individual; it is emblematic of a broader issue within the progressive Left. The reliance on moral superiority as a political strategy has resulted in a façade that, when cracked, exposes a troubling reality: many who seek to lead social change are themselves entangled in the very issues they claim to combat.
This scandal forces us to reconsider the credibility of a movement that often resorts to rhetoric over genuine accountability. For Errejón’s case is not an exception. Let us recall that Juan Carlos Monedero, a founder of the far-left Podemos party, faces similar allegations. Pablo Iglesias, another founder of the same party, was also accused of texting—referring to the journalist Mariló Montero—that he would “whip her until she bled”. In 2016, Mariló Montero decided to file a complaint at the Institute of Women against Pablo Iglesias for the comments. Iglesias, Monedero—and now Errejón. That’s a full house of alleged sexual harassment and possible abuse. So much for a women-loving organisation.
Compounding this issue is the increasingly problematic presumption of innocence for women and a corresponding presumption of guilt for men in cases of alleged misconduct. The rhetoric of “believe all women,” popularized in feminist movements like Spain’s International Women’s Day protests, has perilous implications. When accusations are made, the immediate assumption of guilt placed upon men undermines the principle of due process and fosters an environment where men are often seen as guilty until proven innocent. This setting now claims the reputation and public life of Errejón even if he were to prove his innocence—something that seems far-fetched as he has publicly stated that he is a sex addict and that he behaved abusively toward women. Innocent or guilty, it is yet another example of how a public figure’s reputation can be irrevocably tarnished based on unverified claims. It is time for a reality check.
In the wake of the Errejón scandal, the Left must grapple with its own shortcomings, as Spanish voters recognize that moral superiority should not be a shield for hypocrisy and that the Left is merely a vessel of empty slogans.
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