1998 PSOE prime ministerial primary

none 1998 PSOE prime ministerial primary 35px primary no 2002 PSOE prime ministerial primary 2002 #Opinion polls 383,462 207,774 (54.2%) 24 April 1998 170x170px Josep Borrell CB1F9B 114,254 55.0% 170x170px Joaquín Almunia FF9744 92,860 44.7% primeministerial nominee Elected primeministerial nominee Felipe González (1996) Josep BorrellWithdrew on 14 May 1999. A primary election was held on Friday, 24 April 1998, to elect the prime ministerial nominee of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) for the 2000 Spanish general election. Following the 1997 PSOE congress, former several times minister Joaquín Almunia became new party leader succeeding former prime minister Felipe González, who surprisingly announced during the congress' opening that he would not be running for re-election as PSOE secretary-general. González's succession process was perceived as rushed and the result of a pact between party elites, prompting Almunia to propose a primary election as a way to legitimize his leadership. Former public works minister Josep Borrell, who for years had been the subject of speculation as one of González's possible successors, also announced his run in the primary. The election resulted in the party's grassroots unexpectedly backing Borrell over Almunia, but the latter remained as secretary-general in order to prevent an extraordinary party congress. This situation prompted a "bicephaly" ( duumvirate) which would see both Borrell and Almunia clashing for months on their roles and the party's platform. Borrell would withdraw in May 1999 after it was unveiled that two former aides were involved in a judicial investigation for tax fraud, leaving a vacancy that resulted in Almunia being proclaimed as prime ministerial candidate without opposition. Almunia would went on to lose the 2000 general election, in which José María Aznar's People's Party (PP) would secure an absolute majority of seats. Background The debate on whether to hold an internal primary election to elect the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)'s nominee for prime minister of Spain dated back to 1995,EFE 26 July 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/07/26/espana/806709616_850215.html Peces-Barba pide unas elecciones 'primarias' en el PSOE para elegir el sustituto de González es El País 6 April 2025 when long-lasting leader Felipe González had seriously considered for several months not to run in the 1996 general election.Díez Anabel 7 August 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/08/07/espana/807746410_850215.html González confirmará en otoño a su partido que no volverá a ser candidato a la presidencia es El País Madrid 17 March 2025Rodríguez Aizpeolea Luis Díez Anabel 8 October 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/10/08/espana/813106804_850215.html Los íntimos de Felipe González le ven resuelto a no presentarse es El País Madrid 17 March 2025Galán Lola Díez Anabel Rodríguez Aizpeolea Luis 7 December 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/12/07/espana/818290814_850215.html González admite en público que ahora puede ser un "problema" y no "la solución" para su partido es El País Madrid 17 March 2025 The election of foreign affairs minister Javier Solana—widely seen as González's most likely successor—as NATO secretary-general in December 1995 conditioned González's plans to retire and led to him confirming a new run,Díez Anabel Rodríguez Aizpeolea Luis 22 November 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/11/22/espana/816994824_850215.html La candidatura de Solana a la OTAN condiciona los planes de González de renunciar a la reelección es El País Madrid 17 March 2025Díez Anabel Rodríguez Aizpeolea Luis 19 December 1995 González será candidato por séptima vez https://elpais.com/diario/1995/12/19/espana/819327609_850215.html es El País Madrid 6 April 2025 thwarting the aspirations of other likely contenders, such as public works minister Josep Borrell.18 July 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/07/18/espana/806018419_850215.html Bono propone a Borrell como sucesor de González en el PSOE es El País Madrid 6 April 2025Díez Anabel Rodríguez Aizpeolea Luis 2 December 1995 https://elpais.com/diario/1995/12/02/espana/817858824_850215.html Borrell gana espacio como candidato y arrecian las presiones sobre González es El País Madrid 17 March 2025 In May 1997, González had announced that he did not wish to run for the post of prime minister again,10 May 1997 El PSOE, seguro de que González optará de nuevo a la presidencia https://elpais.com/diario/1997/05/10/espana/863215215_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 despite his leadership of the party not being in question.Díez Anabel 17 January 1997 El PSOE celebrará su congreso en junio y dedicará 1998 a lanzarse como alternativa https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/17/espana/853455616_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 The 1997 PSOE federal party congress saw González surprisingly announcing his immediate retirement and his backing of Joaquín Almunia—who had been a former minister of labour and public administrations under his governments—as the party's new secretary-general,Díez Anabel 21 June 1997 Felipe González abandona la secretaría general para forzar la renovación del partido https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/21/espana/866844002_850215.html es El País Madrid 1 July 2023Díez Anabel 22 June 1997 Los 'barones' colocan a Almunia en la secretaría general tras garantizarse que entran en la ejecutiva https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/22/espana/866930401_850215.html es El País Madrid 5 April 2025 but this had been perceived as a rushed process influenced by the powerful regional leaders (colloquially referred to as barones, Spanish for "barons"), with other potential candidates such as Borrell being sidelined by party elites for the sake of unity in the wake of González's shock farewell.Díez Anabel 22 June 1997 El espantajo de Borrell https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/22/espana/866930404_850215.html es El País Madrid 5 April 2025Mauri Luis 6 July 1997 Borrell echó en falta unas 'primarias' en la elección de Almunia como líder https://elpais.com/diario/1997/07/06/espana/868140015_850215.html es El País Barcelona 5 April 2025Sanz Díaz 2015 9 Worried about a perceived lack of legitimacy among party members, Almunia initially declined to propose himself as the party's candidate for prime minister in the next general election,Díez Anabel 28 November 1997 https://elpais.com/diario/1997/11/28/espana/880671601_850215.html Dirigentes del PSOE apremian la proclamación de Almunia como candidato para competir con Aznar es El País Madrid 6 April 2025 instead advocating for alternatives such as calling for Felipe González to consider a new run,10 October 1997 https://elpais.com/diario/1997/10/10/espana/876434410_850215.html Almunia tacha de "imprudente" el anuncio de González de no ser candidato es El País Madrid 19 March 2025 or for the candidate to be elected through primaries in the first semester of 1998.Ferrandis Joaquín 29 November 1997 Almunia afirma que el candidato socialista se elegirá en elecciones primarias el primer semestre de 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1997/11/29/espana/880758007_850215.html es El País Valencia 5 April 2025Díez Anabel 2 January 1998 Aclamación para el candidato a presidente https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/02/espana/883695603_850215.html es El País Madrid 5 April 2025 González ruled himself out,Díez Anabel 30 January 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/30/espana/886114801_850215.html González descarta ser candidato del PSOE y dice que Almunia es "lo mejor" frente a Aznar es El País Madrid 19 March 2025 whereas the primary proposal—which had been voted and approved in the party congress in June 1997 for local and regional electionsDíez Anabel 20 March 1998 Los críticos dicen que el congreso del PSOE rechazó el voto de simpatizantes en primarias https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/20/espana/890348408_850215.html es El País Madrid 6 April 2025Pascual Bueno 2016 111—was met with skepticism or outright opposition from PSOE regional leaders.Díez Anabel 2 January 1998 Líderes regionales del PSOE se oponen al sistema de primarias para elegir candidatos https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/02/espana/883695601_850215.html es El País Madrid 5 April 2025 Following increasing pressure from his party,Díez Anabel 21 January 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/21/espana/885337215_850215.html Bono reclama al PSOE que designe ya a Almunia como candidato es El País Madrid 6 April 2025Díez Anabel 23 January 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/23/espana/885510008_850215.html Chaves se suma a los que proponen a Almunia como candidato a la presidencia es El País Seville 6 April 2025Díez Anabel 29 January 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/29/espana/886028413_850215.html El respaldo de Ibarra a González provoca apoyos a favor de Almunia como candidato es El País Madrid 6 April 2025 Almunia ultimately accepted to run for the post in the primary election as a way to legitimize his leadership,Sanz Díaz 2015 84 & 180Pascual Bueno 2016 118Ramiro 2016 128 while warning that he would resign as secretary-general should he lose to any prospective contender.Díez Anabel 11 February 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/02/11/espana/887151613_850215.html Almunia, dispuesto a ser el candidato del PSOE si el partido se compromete con la renovación es El País Madrid 6 April 2025Díez Anabel 12 February 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/02/12/espana/887238010_850215.html Miembros del PSOE creen que Almunia condicionó su candidatura para combatir el desánimo del partido es El País Madrid 6 April 2025Díez Anabel 17 March 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/17/espana/890089201_850215.html Almunia advierte que dimitirá si en las primarias del PSOE para La Moncloa resulta derrotado es El País Madrid 6 April 2025 On the eve of the official start of the primary process, it transpired that Borrell had been considering for some time to field his own candidacy,Díez Anabel 21 March 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/21/espana/890434801_850215.html Almunia emplaza a Borrell a que diga si competirá contra él en las primarias internas es El País Madrid 6 April 2025 which he confirmed on 21 March 1998.Díez Anabel 22 March 1998 Borrell anuncia que disputará a Almunia la candidatura a la presidencia del Gobierno https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/22/espana/890521205_850215.html es El País Madrid 29 March 2025 Overview Procedure The PSOE Federal Committee approved on 21 March 1998 a party regulation governing the selection of candidates to public offices through a closed primary system, which included the election of prime ministerial nominees.Díez Anabel 19 January 1998 El PSOE no hará primarias donde gobierna para evitar debilitar a sus líderes https://elpais.com/diario/1998/01/19/espana/885164408_850215.html es El País Madrid 29 March 2025Pascual Bueno 2016 113–114 The primary election was organized on the basis of plurality voting. Voting comprised all members of the PSOE—including its regional branches—and the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC).Pascual Bueno 2016 114 Candidates seeking to run were required to collect the endorsements of either at least 7% of party members (which for the 1998 prime ministerial primary amounted to 26,843 endorsements), 15% of federal committee members, a majority of members in the federal executive commission or a majority in the territorial council.Sanz Díaz 2015 92 & 153Pascual Bueno 2016 115 In the event of only one candidate meeting this requirement, the primaries would be left uncontested with such candidate being elected unopposed.Sanz Díaz 2015 153Pascual Bueno 2016 115–116 Timetable The key dates of the primary election procedure are listed below (all times are CET): 21 March: Official announcement of the primary election. 23 March: Start of endorsement collection and candidacy submission periods. 12 April: End of endorsement collection and candidacy submission periods. 13 April: Provisional proclamation of primary candidates. 16 April: Definitive proclamation of primary candidates. 17 April: Official start of internal information campaign. 23 April: Last day of internal information campaign. 24 April: Primary election (polling stations open at 1 pm and close at 8 pm). 25 April: Proclamation of prime ministerial nominee. Candidates Candidate Notable positions Announced Ref. ReferencesQualified Candidates who met endorsement requirements and qualified to contest the primary election. center|75px Josep Borrell(age 1947 4 24 1998 4 24) Member of the PSOE Executive Commission (since 1997)Member of the Congress of Deputies for Barcelona (since 1986)Minister of Public Works, Transport and Environment of Spain (1993–1996)Minister of Public Works and Urbanism of Spain (1991–1993)Secretary of State of Finance of Spain (1984–1991)Secretary-General of Budget and Public Expenditure of Spain (1982–1984)City Councillor of Majadahonda (1979–1983) 21 March 1998 center|75px Joaquín Almunia(age 1948 6 17 1998 4 24) Secretary-General of the PSOE (since 1997)Leader of the Opposition of Spain (since 1997)Member of the Congress of Deputies for Madrid (since 1979)Spokesperson of the Socialist Group of the Congress (1994–1997)Secretary of Studies and Programs of the PSOE (1981–1984 and 1994–1997)Minister for Public Administrations of Spain (1986–1991)Minister of Labour and Social Security of Spain (1982–1986)Secretary of Trade Union Policy of the PSOE (1979–1981) 23 March 1998 23 March 1998 Almunia lanza su candidatura con un duro ataque a Aznar por ser el presidente "más reaccionario" de la UE https://www.servimedia.es/noticias/almunia-lanza-candidatura-duro-ataque-aznar-ser-presidente-mas-reaccionario-ue/1411003726 es Servimedia Madrid 13 April 2025 Declined The individuals in this section were the subject of speculation about their possible candidacy, but publicly denied or recanted interest in running: Felipe González (age 1942 3 5 1998 4 24) – Member of the Congress of Deputies for Madrid (since 1977); Leader of the Opposition of Spain (1996–1997); Secretary-General of the PSOE (1974–1979 and 1979–1997); Prime Minister of Spain (1982–1996); President pro tempore of the Council of the European Union (1989 and 1995); Spokesperson of the Congress Socialist Parliamentary Group (1977–1979).24 June 1997 Una gran mayoría piensa que la retirada política de Felipe González es sólo temporal https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/24/espana/867103201_850215.html es El País Madrid 6 April 2025Díez Anabel 14 March 1998 Chaves, Ibarra y Bono se reunieron con González para asegurarse de que no será candidato https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/14/espana/889830008_850215.html es El País Madrid 29 March 202515 March 1998 Ibarra: "Cuando en política se dice 'nunca' quiere decir 'de momento" https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/15/espana/889916403_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 Endorsements + Summary of candidate endorsement results Candidate Party members Federal committee Count % T % over total party membership % V % over valid endorsements Count % T % over total federal committee membership % V % over valid endorsements Joaquín Almunia 50,170 13.08 100.00 colspan="3" Not applicable Josep Borrell colspan="3" Not applicable 65 31.55 100.00 Total 50,170 65 Valid endorsements 50,170 13.08 65 31.55 Not endorsing 333,292 86.92 141 68.45 Total members 383,462 206 SourcesGómez Lourdes Díez Anabel 8 April 1998 Almunia logra la mayoría de sus avales en las federaciones de Andalucía y Castilla-La Mancha https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/08/espana/891986405_850215.html es El País Madrid / London 14 April 20258 April 1998 Sólo el 5% del PSC avala a Almunia https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1998/04/08/pagina-13/33825567/pdf.html es La Vanguardia 14 April 2025Sanz Díaz 2015 98 Opinion polls Poll results are listed in the tables below in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first, and using the date the survey's fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. If such date is unknown, the date of publication is given instead. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed in bold, and the background shaded in the candidate's colour. In the instance of a tie, the figures with the highest percentages are shaded. Polls show data gathered among PSOE voters/supporters as well as Spanish voters as a whole, but not among party members, who were the ones ultimately entitled to vote in the primary election. PSOE voters Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px Other/None Lead Almunia(Inc.) Borrell Solana Bono Guerra Maragall Primary election 24 Apr 1998 "Members" PSOE members. 44.7 55.0 – – – – 0.3 10.3 ASEPSondeo 'La Opinión Pública de los Españoles' (ASEP, España) http://www.jdsurvey.net/jds/jdsurveyContents.jsp?Idioma=E&SeccionTexto=05 es Banco de datos ASEP/JDS 15 April 2025 20–24 Apr 1998 1,204 38.9 31.4 – – – – – 29.7 7.5 Sigma Dos/El MundoLos votantes del PSOE ante las primarias https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1998/abril/19/nacional/grafico.html es El Mundo 19 April 1998 19 Apr 1998? 40.2 24.5 – – – – 21.2 14.1 15.7 DECO/PSOEUna encuesta del partido socialista considera a Almunia el mejor sustituto de Felipe González https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1998/abril/03/nacional/primarias.html es El Mundo 3 April 1998Almunia asume el error de pedir una propuesta a la Ejecutiva y revelará hoy cuáles son sus apoyos https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/04/espana/891640812_850215.html es El País 4 April 1998 27–28 Mar 1998 2,000 48.8 31.1 – – – – 20.1 17.7 Opina/La VanguardiaBorrell pisa los talones a Almunia https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1998/03/29/pagina-14/33842631/pdf.html es La Vanguardia 26 March 1998 26 Mar 1998 83"Members" 33.7 43.4 – – – – – 22.9 9.7 600 37.3 35.7 – – – – – 27.0 1.6 Sigma Dos/El Mundo 26 Mar 1998? 43.9 30.6 – – – – 9.5 16.0 13.3 Demoscopia/El PaísLos votantes del PSOE creen que ganara Almunia https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/27/espana/890953201_850215.html es El País 27 March 1998 24–25 Mar 1998 336 40.0 35.0 – – – – 25.0 5.0 ASEP 7–11 Jul 1997 1,214 10.0 4.6 11.6 4.7 2.3 0.9 3.0 63.0 1.6 Spanish voters Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px Other/None Lead Almunia(Inc.) Borrell Solana Bono Guerra Maragall ASEP 20–24 Apr 1998 1,204 30.1 21.5 – – – – – 48.5 8.6 Sigma Dos/El MundoLos ciudadanos ante las primarias del PSOE https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1998/abril/19/nacional/grafico4.html es El Mundo 19 April 1998 19 Apr 1998? 25.7 17.5 – – – – 40.1 16.8 8.2 Vox Pública/El PeriódicoAmbos aspirantes están casi empatados, según dos encuestas https://elpais.com/diario/1998/03/30/espana/891208804_850215.html es El País 30 March 1998 29 Mar 1998 800 28.3 20.5 – – – – 51.2 7.8 Sigma Dos/El Mundo 26 Mar 1998 800 30.9 23.1 – – – – 24.9 21.1 7.8 Demoscopia/El País 24–25 Mar 1998 1,200 31.0 29.0 – – – – 40.0 2.0 ASEP 7–11 Jul 1997 1,214 7.7 3.3 8.9 3.1 1.1 1.0 3.4 71.7 1.2 Results Overall + Summary of the 24 April 1998 PSOE primary results Candidate Votes % Josep Borrell 114,254 55.04 Joaquín Almunia 92,860 44.73 Blank ballots 507 0.24 Total 207,567 Valid votes 207,567 99.90 Invalid votes 207 0.10 Votes cast / turnout 207,774 54.18 Abstentions 175,688 45.82 Total members 383,462 Sources24 April 1998 El PSOE elige al sucesor de Felipe González https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/psoe-elige-sucesor-felipe-gonzalez_0_ByavEkk8ng.html?srsltid=AfmBOorAbsDu0BVor_vHQYIdjVx7f0988pgD1KzyNVazoJMcewiM2dMW es Clarín 29 March 20257 May 1998 Borrell gana por 21.394 votos a Almunia en las primarias https://elpais.com/diario/1998/05/07/espana/894492018_850215.html es El País Madrid 29 March 2025Sanz Díaz 2015 129, 169 & 184 Vote by party members #ddd 450px 500px Borrell #CB1F9B 55.04 Almunia #FF9744 44.73 Blank ballots #DDDDDD 0.24 By region Region Electorate Turnout JosepBorrell JoaquínAlmunia Votes % Votes % Andalusia 107,650 52.25 24,516 43.59 31,554 56.10 Aragon 15,610 56.10 4,650 53.10 4,068 46.45 Asturias 10,270 65.94 4,583 67.68 2,180 32.19 Balearic Islands 3,813 54.50 1,171 56.35 895 43.07 Basque Country 9,176 61.19 2,746 48.90 2,845 50.67 Canary Islands 19,649 37.20 4,483 61.34 2,800 38.31 Cantabria 4,759 62.78 1,716 57.43 1,265 42.34 Castile and León 19,156 53.87 6,207 60.15 4,075 39.49 Castilla–La Mancha 26,902 62.34 6,076 36.23 10,628 63.37 Catalonia 28,947 62.34 14,925 82.71 3,050 16.90 Ceuta 507 35.50 108 60.00 72 40.00 Extremadura 21,339 57.50 6,752 55.03 5,471 44.59 Galicia 24,150 43.81 7,070 66.83 3,470 32.80 La Rioja 1,256 75.08 618 65.54 323 34.25 Madrid 21,968 54.95 7,894 65.39 4,112 34.06 Melilla 845 30.06 188 74.02 66 25.98 Murcia 20,889 46.35 5,192 53.63 4,465 46.12 Navarre 2,623 66.07 971 56.03 758 43.74 Valencian Community 39,376 60.02 13,875 58.71 9,701 41.05 Europe 1,294 48.07 231 37.14 386 62.06 Americas 3,209 28.30 282 31.06 622 68.50 Other 74 colspan="5" Total 383,462 54.18 114,254 54.99 92,806 44.67 Aftermath Against expectations of an Almunia victory,Díez Anabel 26 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/26/espana/893541609_850215.html Una noche de incredulidad y sorpresa en Ferraz es El País Madrid 18 April 2025Sanz Díaz 2015 172 Borrell emerged as the clear winner in a shock result, with 55% of the votes to the former's 45%; his showing was particularly strong in his home region of Catalonia, where—despite the support given to Almunia by the leaders of the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC)—he won with over 80% of the votes, coming out on top in all autonomous communities but Andalusia, the Basque Country and Castilla–La Mancha.25 April 1998 https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/sorpresivo-triunfo-de-borrell-en-las-primarias-del-psoe-nid94681/ Sorpresivo triunfo de Borrell en las primarias del PSOE es La Nación Madrid 18 April 2025Valls Francesc 25 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/25/espana/893455208_850215.html Borrell barre en Cataluña y obtiene más del 80% de los votos de la militancia del PSC es El País Barcelona 18 April 202525 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/25/espana/893455201_850215.html Borrell vence en 16 de las 21 federaciones del Partido Socialista es El País Barcelona 18 April 2025 The outcome of the primaries—with the defeat of the secretary-general and the party apparatus which had supported him—immediately plunged the party into uncertainty:Casqueiro Javier 25 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/25/espana/893455207_850215.html Aires frescos y caras nuevas en la sede de Ferraz es El País Madrid 18 April 2025 convinced that the party's rank and file had voted not just for the prime ministerial nominee but also against his leadership, Almunia considered fulfilling his promise of tender his resignation, which would have triggered an extraordinary congress.Díez Anabel 25 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/25/espana/893455228_850215.html Borrell gana y trastoca la situación del PSOE es El País Madrid 19 March 2025Sanz Díaz 2015 173 A majority of party regional leaders, former leader Felipe González and Borrell himself urged Almunia not to resign in order to prevent an internal crisis,Díez Anabel 25 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/25/espana/893455226_850215.html Amenazas de dimisión es El País Madrid 18 April 202525 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/25/espana/893455209_850215.html La mayoría de los líderes regionales piden a Almunia que no dimita es El País Madrid 18 April 2025Díez Anabel 27 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/27/espana/893628007_850215.html Los dirigentes afines a Borrell se unen para convencer a Almunia de que siga en su cargo es El País Madrid 18 April 2025 while fears of internal reprisal or political purges were dismissed.Díez Anabel 27 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/27/espana/893628008_850215.html El aparato teme que se desate un ajuste de cuentas es El País Madrid 18 April 2025Paz Rosa 27 April 1998 https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1998/04/27/pagina-11/33830569/pdf.html Borrell descarta revanchas y cuenta con los perdedores es La Vanguardia Madrid 19 March 2025 As some sectors suggested a power-sharing agreement,Díez Anabel 26 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/26/espana/893541601_850215.html El PSOE intenta parar la dimisión de Almunia es El País Madrid 19 March 2025Sanz Díaz 2015 177 both of them negotiated their future roles in the party structure.Mauri Luis 28 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/28/espana/893714401_850215.html Borrell exigirá a Almunia el control sobre la maquinaria electoral y el programa socialista es El País Barcelona 18 April 2025Díez Anabel 29 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/29/espana/893800801_850215.html Almunia y Borrell se disputan la elaboración del programa y el liderazgo de la oposición es El País Madrid 18 April 2025 Borrell would become the PSOE's political and electoral leader as well as the new parliamentary opposition chief to Aznar's government,Díez Anabel 30 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/30/espana/893887201_850215.html Borrell será el "líder parlamentario" pero no desbancará a Almunia de la presidencia es El País Madrid 18 April 2025 while Almunia would remain as secretary-general and the de jure leader of the party.Díez Anabel 28 April 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/04/28/espana/893714405_850215.html Almunia afirma que permanecerá en su cargo si eso contribuye al triunfo electoral del candidato es El País Madrid 18 April 2025Díez Anabel 1 May 1998 https://elpais.com/diario/1998/05/01/espana/893973601_850215.html El PSOE concede a Borrell el papel de líder de la oposición y evita el congreso extraordinario es El País Madrid 19 March 2025 These agreements paved the way for a "bicephaly" (duumvirate) situation in which both men would cohabitate the party's leadership with each other.Sanz Díaz 2015 177Pascual Bueno 2016 122 Borrell and Almunia would clash for months on their roles and the party's platform.OTR Press 17 November 1998 Almunia deja en manos del Comité Federal el reparto de papeles mientras Borrell reitera que es el líder https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1998/noviembre/17/nacional/almunia.html es El Mundo Madrid 19 March 2025EFE 21 November 1998 Cronología de una crisis https://elpais.com/diario/1998/11/21/espana/911602809_850215.html es El País Madrid 19 March 2025Díez Anabel 22 November 1998 Borrell y Almunia ceden para evitar un congreso https://elpais.com/diario/1998/11/22/espana/911689215_850215.html es El País Madrid 19 March 2025 Borrell would withdraw in May 1999 after it was unveiled that two former aides were involved in a judicial investigation for tax fraud,Díez Anabel 15 May 1999 Borrell renuncia como candidato por el escándalo de sus ex colaboradores https://elpais.com/diario/1999/05/15/espana/926719201_850215.html es El País Madrid 19 March 2025Díez Anabel 15 May 1999 González insta a Almunia a que "ponga orden" y lidere el proceso para ganar las elecciones https://elpais.com/diario/1999/05/17/espana/926892001_850215.html es El País Toledo 19 March 2025 leaving a vacancy that resulted in Almunia being proclaimed as prime ministerial candidate without opposition.Agencias 24 July 1999 El Comité Federal respalda la candidatura de Almunia https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1999/julio/24/nacional/psoe.html es El Mundo Madrid 19 March 2025Díez Anabel 25 July 1999 Almunia roza la unanimidad https://elpais.com/diario/1999/07/25/espana/932853617_850215.html es El País Madrid 19 March 2025 Almunia would went on to lose the 2000 general election, in which José María Aznar's People's Party (PP) would secure an absolute majority of seats.13 March 2000 Aznar logra la mayoría absoluta https://elpais.com/diario/2003/02/11/portada/1044918016_850215.html es El País 16 April 2025 Almunia would later reveal that he made a mistake by not resigning as secretary-general following Borrell's victory and another one by accepting the party's nomination after the latter's withdrawal.13 March 2000 Almunia afirma que su mayor error fue no dimitir como secretario general tras las primarias https://elpais.com/diario/2000/03/23/espana/953766070_850215.html es El País Madrid 18 April 2025 Notes References Opinion poll sources "p" Other Bibliography Sanz Díaz Benito 2015 Primarias en España. Se inicia la era posfelipista. 34 congreso PSOE. 1997. Almunia versus Borrell. 24 de abril de 1998 https://roderic.uv.es/items/0a657b30-9dda-43e1-bc4e-7a4114fc3e10 es Elecciones primarias en España. 1993-2015 Valencia University of Valencia 10550/44646 dmy-all Pascual Bueno Ernesto M. PhD 2016 Selección de Líderes y Candidatos a la Presidencia del Gobierno (1976-2016). "El jardín secreto del PSOE" https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/tesis/2016/hdl_10803_400077/empb1de1.pdf es Barcelona Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona dmy-all Ramiro Luis 2016 Effects of party primaries on electoral performance: The Spanish Socialist primaries in local elections https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1354068813514884 en Party Politics 22 1 Sage Journals 125–136 10.1177/1354068813514884 dmy-all subscription Category:1998 elections in Spain Category:April 1998 in Spain Category:Primary elections in Spain 1998