The Errejón Case and the Crisis of Reputation for Spain’s Left

Íñigo Errejón has long been an influential figure in Spain’s progressive politics. Known for his role in founding the Más País party and, more recently, for joining the Sumar coalition, Errejón represented a vision of change within the left, with proposals around social welfare, equality, and feminism that he highlighted in his speeches.

However, a recent sexual assault accusation by actress Elisa Mouliáa has complicated matters for Spain’s alternative left, impacting its online reputation and calling into question the coherence of its principles. 

The Errejón Case and the Crisis of Reputation for Spain’s Left ReputationUP

The case, focused on incidents allegedly occurring in 2021, has sparked a legal process that is reshaping the public’s view of the Spanish left.

Leaders of Sumar and other affiliated parties are facing criticism for an apparent lack of a swift and effective response, as the situation touches on issues central to their movement. 

This crisis underscores the importance of crisis management and reputation, where public trust becomes any party’s most crucial asset.

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Errejón’s Resignation: The Beginning of the Scandal

Former parliamentary spokesperson for Sumar, Íñigo Errejón, shocked the country when he posted on ‘X’ announcing his resignation, abandoning his seat and exiting politics entirely.

Errejón’s Resignation The Beginning of the Scandal ReputationUP

Errejón shared a letter explaining his exhaustion after over a decade in the political and media spotlight. 

“I’ve reached the limit of the contradiction between the character and the person,” he wrote, emphasizing the emotional and mental health toll of his public life.

In his farewell, Errejón reflected on how the political environment fosters “a toxic subjectivity which patriarchy amplifies in men.” 

He referred to “mistakes” in his career, suggesting that he was stepping back partly to begin a process of personal and professional repair. Many saw this message as a sign of a deep exhaustion that, in his view, compromised his ideals and impacted his professional and personal relationships.

However, this resignation, initially presented as a personal decision for mental health reasons, coincided with public accusations of inappropriate behavior and even sexual assault. What began as a reflective retirement soon morphed into a scandal that has rocked the digital reputation of Spain’s alternative left.

Accusations and Reactions

Journalist Cristina Fallarás, known for her work on gender-based violence awareness, stirred social media by sharing an anonymous testimony in which a woman denounced the abusive, manipulative behavior of a “politician who lives in Madrid.” 

Soon after, actress Elisa Mouliáa broke her silence, posting a straightforward declaration on X: 

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Mouliáa then formally filed a complaint with the National Police, detailing incidents allegedly occurring in September 2021. 

Her testimony reveals that she and Errejón had been in contact for about a year via social media before he invited her to attend a book launch. 

After the event, they went to a nearby bar for drinks. Mouliáa, who had plans to attend a friend’s party that night, courteously invited Errejón to come along.

While heading to the party, according to her account, Errejón began to show “dominant behavior.” 

Upon arrival at the venue, the politician allegedly grabbed her “tightly” around the waist and kissed her “violently,” which, as Mouliáa describes, left her “struggling to breathe.”

During the party, after interacting with other guests, Errejón reportedly led her to a room and allegedly made non-consensual advances. 

Although Mouliáa expressed her discomfort and wished to return to the party, Errejón agreed only on the condition that they would leave together in 20 minutes. 

After that time, they departed in the same car and headed to Errejón’s home, where, according to Mouliáa, he continued to make unwanted advances despite her repeated attempts to reject him with a firm “only yes means yes.”

The case immediately impacted public opinion and the political sphere. Mouliáa’s complaint, coupled with Fallarás’ anonymous post, intensified media scrutiny, leading to an increase in accusations against both Errejón and his party, Sumar.

Anonymous Testimony of Another Woman in 2023

In 2023, an anonymous account circulated on X recounting an alleged sexist assault by Íñigo Errejón at a feminist punk event. The woman described her shock at being touched inappropriately by a figure so openly aligned with feminism and progressive politics.

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Although she initially tried to brush it off, the behavior reportedly continued, leading her to confide in friends and event organizers, who confronted Errejón and asked him to leave.

This episode also involved Loreto Arenillas, a Más Madrid deputy, who allegedly presented herself as a mediator to “solve” the issue and “repair the damage.” 

According to the testimony, Arenillas contacted the complainant to apologize on Errejón’s behalf, attempting to address the incident. However, the complainant expressed confusion over the idea of “mediating” a harassment situation, questioning whether Errejón would actually be held accountable for his actions.

This approach, far from calming tempers, added a new layer of questioning about the stance of left-wing political figures in the face of complaints of this type and about Arenillas’ role in the management of the incidents.

Arenillas’ response was perceived by the victim as an attempt to minimize what happened, which added to public unrest and the perception of a lack of responsibility in the management of these episodes.

Pablo Iglesias’ Statements: “This Was Talked About a Year Ago”

Pablo Iglesias, former general secretary of Podemos and co-founder of the political party with Errejón, also commented on the situation, noting that rumors about Errejón’s behavior were not new. 

According to Iglesias, “this was talked about a year ago,” but victims struggled to find a safe place to report.

Despite his personal and political estrangement from Errejón in recent years, Iglesias stated that he did not feel satisfaction from what he described as the “sinister end” of Errejón’s career.

Iglesias’ statements raise serious questions about whether these incidents were known within political circles and if a culture of silence contributed to keeping these allegations out of the spotlight.

How Much Did Sumar and Más Madrid Know?

The increasing number of accusations has sparked questions about the extent of knowledge Sumar and Más Madrid had about Errejón’s conduct. 

Some media suggest that the former deputy’s inappropriate behavior was an open secret in certain circles, while others indicate a general lack of awareness among coalition leaders.

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However, sources close to the situation confirm that Errejón had started treatment for sex addiction and substance abuse, which, according to those familiar with him, may have somewhat mitigated his behavior but not entirely.

Sumar has tried to distance itself, arguing that dealing with these matters falls to Más Madrid, Errejón’s original party, though the reputational damage remains. 

However, as Errejón gained more prominence within Sumar and took on the spokesperson role in Congress, his history of misconduct began to surface, creating unease among coalition members.

Reactions from Rita Maestre

Rita Maestre, Más Madrid spokesperson at City Hall and Errejón’s ex-partner, shared her reaction in a post on X on Sunday. 

In it, she expressed the shock and devastation of reading testimonies from women accusing Errejón of mistreatment during their relationship.

Maestre wrote about the deep impact this news has had, especially since some of the reported incidents allegedly occurred while she and Errejón were together. 

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Maestre reflected on how abusers, often portrayed as “exceptionally monstrous,” can in reality be close family members, friends, or colleagues. 

Throughout her statement, she underscored her commitment to feminism and the need to end “spaces of impunity,” regardless of the aggressor’s identity.

Repercussions for Spain’s Left

The Errejón case and revelations about his personal life have left the alternative left in crisis. 

Once strong voices championing equality and feminism and central to their political marketing are now facing a moral crossroads, needing a thorough review of their protocols for handling gender violence and power abuse.

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In this context, public figures have expressed their dissatisfaction, demanding a clear and firm response from left-wing leaders to prove their commitment to justice and equality.

The impact on the Spanish left’s reputation is significant. The lack of transparency and mounting accusations have led to questioning the consistency of their principles, sparking both internal and external criticism.

This case opens the debate on political parties’ responsibilities to protect women’s rights and the challenge of upholding integrity aligned with their ideals. 

The Errejón crisis not only affects his political career but also calls into question the coalition’s reputation and its ability to defend and act according to the values it promotes.

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