1997 PSOE federal party congress

none 1997 PSOE federal party congress 35px presidential no 1994 PSOE federal party congress 1994 2000 PSOE federal party congress 2000 945 delegates in the Federal CongressPlurality of delegates needed to win Executive: 914 (96.7%)Committee: 925 (97.9%) 20−22 June 1997 Executive Committee 170x170px Joaquín Almunia FF9744 681 (74.7%) 823 (89.2%) 170x170px Blank ballots DDDDDD 231 (25.3%) 100 (10.8%) Party leader Party leader afterelection Felipe González Joaquín Almunia The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) held its 34th federal congress in Madrid from 20 to 22 June 1997, to renovate its governing bodies—including the post of secretary-general, which amounted to that of party leader—and establish the party platform and policy until the next congress. Felipe González, who had led the PSOE since 1974 and had been prime minister of Spain between 1982 and 1996, announced in the first day of congress that he would not be seeking re-election as party leader, a move that caught everyone by surprise. This move was seen as a way to facilitate the party's renovation, but also to put an end to tensions over the continuity of his former colleague and now rival, deputy secretary-general Alfonso Guerra, who was forced to step down as a result. Amid fears of an internal struggle over party succession, with possible contenders including former public works minister Josep Borrell, regional party leaders and González himself backed former several times minister Joaquín Almunia as the latter's replacement. Almunia would be elected unopposed as new secretary-general, securing 74.7% of the delegate vote in the congress for his executive, with 25.3% casting blank ballots.Lozano Carles https://www.historiaelectoral.com/psoe.html Partido Socialista Obrero Español. Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya, P.Socialista de Euskadi E.E., Partido Socialista Popular, PSOE histórico es Historia Electoral.com 16 March 2023 Background Initially scheduled for 1998, the leadership of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) announced that it would hold the party's congress one year earlier, in June 1997, in order to better organize themselves as the opposition to the incumbent government of the People's Party (PP) under prime minister José María Aznar.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 2025Díez Anabel 25 January 1997 El adelanto del congreso del PSOE se pactó en una reunion de ocho dirigentes con González https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/25/espana/854146817_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 20258 February 1997 PSOE. Reunido el Comité Federal del PSOE, que convocará el 34 Congreso del partido https://www.servimedia.es/noticias/psoe-reunido-comite-federal-psoe-convocara-34-congreso-partido/1410964283 es Servimedia Madrid 12 April 2025 The congress had been initially expected to focus on the continuity of deputy secretary-general Alfonso Guerra—whose support had dwindled internallyDíez Anabel 26 January 1997 Bono pide a González que de libertad a los delegados para renovar la ejecutiva https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/26/espana/854233204_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 3 February 1997 El temor al choque interno y la debilidad de su grupo frenan los apoyos a Guerra https://elpais.com/diario/1997/02/03/espana/854924410_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025—in the party's executive,Casqueiro Javier Díez Anabel 27 January 1997 Leguina propone hablar con Guerra sobre su futuro antes del congreso https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/27/espana/854319602_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 5 May 1997 Los guerristas fuerzan el debate sobre el futuro del vicesecretario, del PSOE https://elpais.com/diario/1997/05/05/espana/862783211_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 as well as various proposals to renovate the party's image and structure (including a proposal for drastically reducing the executive body's size and move the party's regional leaders to a separate political body having been brought forward by PSOE leader Felipe González).Díez Anabel 20 January 1997 La cúpula del PSOE planea reducir la ejecutiva a la mitad https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/20/espana/853714814_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel Casqueiro Javier 27 January 1997 González reclama una ejecutiva muy reducida y que los 'barones' se vayan a un consejo político https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/27/espana/854319601_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 18 February 1997 La próxima ejecutiva socialista excluirá a 20 de sus actuales miembros https://elpais.com/diario/1997/02/18/espana/856220419_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 González's leadership of the party was not in question, despite his previous plans in 1995 to renounce as its prime ministerial candidate ahead of the 1996 Spanish general election in favour of then-foreign affairs minister Javier SolanaRodríguez 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—a plan thwarted by Solana's election as NATO secretary-general in December 1995Díez 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—and González's own announcement in May 1997 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 Overall, it was assumed that González would remain at the helm of the party's transition towards its renovation.Pascual Bueno 2016 110 As the congress date came closer, the political focus centered on Guerra's position,Díez Anabel 26 May 1997 El PSOE intentará que su congreso no se centre a la figura del 'número dos' https://elpais.com/diario/1997/05/26/espana/864597609_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 7 June 1997 González elude opinar sobre el futuro de Guerra "para no interferir en el congreso" https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/07/espana/865634405_850215.html es El País Malmö 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 8 June 1997 Los felipistas afirman que la ejecutiva del PSOE sólo será compacta sin Guerra https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/08/espana/865720808_850215.html es El País Malmö 12 April 2025 with a majority of PSOE regional leaders pushing for his removal.Díez Anabel 21 May 1997 13 de los 18 dirigentes regionales del PSOE no quieren a Guerra en la ejecutiva https://elpais.com/diario/1997/05/21/espana/864165609_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 23 May 1997 Los líderes regionales del PSOE ya han acordado suprimir el cargo de Guerra https://elpais.com/diario/1997/05/23/espana/864338414_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 10 June 1997 Los 'barones', contra la vicesecretaría https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/10/espana/865893606_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 Guerra himself threatened to entrench himself in the post with the support of party delegates,Díez Anabel 10 June 1997 Los guerristas exigen a Felipe González que se defina sobre la ejecutiva que quiere https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/10/espana/865893605_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 202512 June 1997 Guerra dice que sólo los delegados decidirán si sigue en la ejecutiva https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/12/espana/866066424_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Díez Anabel 13 June 1997 Los guerristas critican la falta de debate entre las bases sobre la salida de Guerra https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/13/espana/866152814_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 while denouncing a "conspiracy" against him.22 January 1997 Guerra afirma que Chaves encabeza una operación para excluirle de la próxima ejecutiva del PSOE https://elpais.com/diario/1997/01/22/espana/853887609_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 202520 June 1997 Guerra denuncia una "conspiración" de seis 'barones' https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/20/espana/866757609_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 Tensions rose further when, in the week preceding the congress, the PSOE leadership dared Guerra to challenge González's list.Díez Anabel 17 June 1997 La dirección del PSOE reta a Alfonso Guerra a que se enfrente a la lista de Felipe González https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/17/espana/866498404_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 In the hours previous to the congress' start, it emerged that González would be addressing the process for his succession in his opening remarks in order to move the focus from the internal struggle around Guerra's future.Díez Anabel 20 June 1997 Gonzalez abrirá hoy el debate sobre su sucesión en la inauguración del congreso socialista https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/20/espana/866757607_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025 Candidates Candidate Notable positions Announced Ref. ReferencesProposed Candidates who were officially proposed to contest the party congress. center|75px Joaquín Almunia(age 1948 6 17 1997 6 22) Spokesperson of the Socialist Group of the Congress (since 1994)Secretary of Studies and Programs of the PSOE (1981–1984 and since 1994)Member of the Congress of Deputies for Madrid (since 1979)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) 21 June 1997 Díez Anabel 21 June 1997 Los congresistas barajan hasta cinco candidatos https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/21/espana/866844005_850215.html es El País Madrid 1 July 2023Paz Rosa 22 June 1997 Sólo los guerristas se oponen a Almunia https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1997/06/22/pagina-15/34602522/pdf.html es La Vanguardia Madrid 5 April 2025Díez 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 Declined The individuals in this section were the subject of speculation about their possible candidacy, but publicly denied or recanted interest in running: Manuel Chaves (age 1945 7 7 1997 6 22) — Secretary-General of the PSOE–A (since 1994); President of the Regional Government of Andalusia (since 1990); Member of the Parliament of Andalusia for Cádiz (since 1990); Member of the PSOE Executive Commission (1981–1984 and since 1990); Minister of Labour and Social Security of Spain (1986–1990); Member of the Congress of Deputies for Cádiz (1977–1990); Secretary of Economy of the PSOE (1984–1988). José Bono (age 1950 12 14 1997 6 22) — President of the PSCM–PSOE (since 1990); Member of the PSOE Executive Commission (since 1990); Member of the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha for Toledo (since 1987); President of the Regional Government of Castilla–La Mancha (since 1983); Secretary-General of the PSCM–PSOE (1988–1990); Member of the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha for Albacete (1983–1987); Member of the Congress of Deputies for Albacete (1979–1983); Fourth Secretary of the Congress of Deputies (1979–1982).17 July 1995 Bono propone a Borrell como sustituto de González cuando este abandone https://www.servimedia.es/noticias/bono-propone-borrell-como-sustituto-gonzalez-cuando-este-abandone/1410883278 es Servimedia Madrid 6 April 2025 Josep Borrell (age 1947 4 24 1997 6 22) — 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).Díez Anabel Rodríguez Aizpeolea Luis 2 December 1995 Borrell gana espacio como candidato y arrecian las presiones sobre González https://elpais.com/diario/1995/12/02/espana/817858824_850215.html es El País Madrid 5 April 2025Díez 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 2025 Felipe González (age 1942 3 5 1997 6 22) – Leader of the Opposition of Spain (since 1996); Secretary-General of the PSOE (1974–1979 and since 1979); Member of the Congress of Deputies for Madrid (since 1977); 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).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 2023 Juan Carlos Rodríguez Ibarra (age 1948 1 19 1997 6 22) — Member of the PSOE Executive Commission (since 1994); President of the Regional Government of Extremadura (since 1983); Secretary-General of the PSOE of Extremadura (since 1988); Member of the Assembly of Extremadura for Badajoz (since 1983); Secretary-General of the PSOE of Badajoz (1979–1988); Member of the Congress of Deputies for Badajoz (1977–1983); Minister of Health and Social Security of Extremadura (1978–1979). Ramón Jáuregui (age 1948 9 1 1997 6 22) — Minister of Justice, Labour and Social Security of the Basque Country (since 1995); Member of the Basque Parliament for Gipuzkoa (1980–1983 and since 1990); Secretary-General of the PSE–PSOE/PSE–EE (PSOE) (since 1988); Vice Lehendakari (1987–1991); President of the PSE–PSOE (1985–1988); Delegate of the Government of Spain in the Basque Country (1983–1987); City Councillor of San Sebastián (1979–1980); President of the Caretaker Commission of the City Council of San Sebastián (1978–1979). Pasqual Maragall (age 1941 1 13 1997 6 22) — President of the European Committee of the Regions (since 1996); Mayor of Barcelona (since 1982); City Councillor of Barcelona (since 1979); Member of the Parliament of Catalonia for Barcelona (1988–1995); Deputy Mayor for Administrative Organization and Reform of Barcelona (1979–1982).21 June 1997 En busca de un nuevo líder https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/21/espana/866844008_850215.html es El País Madrid 5 April 2025 Francisco Vázquez (age 1946 4 9 1997 6 22) — Secretary-General of the PSdeG–PSOE (1980–1982 and since 1994); Mayor of A Coruña (since 1983); City Councillor of A Coruña (since 1983); Member of the Congress of Deputies for A Coruña (1977–1981 and since 1982); President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (1991–1995); Member of the Parliament of Galicia for A Coruña (1981–1982). 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. PSOE voters Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px Other/None Lead Almunia Guerra Solana Bono Borrell Chaves Serra 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 7–11 Jul 1997"Post" Conducted after the congress. 1,214 7.9 4.1 15.7 4.1 7.0 0.0 0.6 29.4 31.4 7.8 Spanish voters Polling firm/Commissioner Fieldwork date Sample size 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px 55px Other/None Lead Almunia Guerra Solana Bono Borrell Chaves Serra Corcuera Solchaga ASEP 7–11 Jul 1997"Post" 1,214 5.2 1.8 9.7 2.6 5.1 0.2 0.4 – – 36.3 38.7 4.5 Opina/La VanguardiaGonzález no tiene sucesor https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1994/04/17/pagina-21/34400332/pdf.html es La Vanguardia 17 April 1994 8–11 Apr 1994 2,000 – 5.5 2.3 – – 0.8 4.7 2.9 1.2 16.4 66.2 0.8 Delegate estimations González's allies (renovadores, Spanish for "renovators") were estimated as having the support of about 80% of elected delegated to the congress, whereas the pro-Guerra faction (guerristas) was attributed between less than 20% and no more than 25%.Díez Anabel 2 May 1997 Los renovadores del PSOE cuentan con un 80% de delegados para el congreso de junio https://elpais.com/diario/1997/05/02/espana/862524004_850215.html es El País Madrid 12 April 2025Paz Rosa 2 May 1997 Los felipistas buscan un cargo a Guerra para que deje la ejecutiva https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1997/05/02/pagina-15/33872553/pdf.html es La Vanguardia Madrid 12 April 2025 Results Overall + Summary of the 21–22 June 1997 congress results Candidate Executive Executive Commission Committee Federal Committee Votes % Votes % Joaquín Almunia 681 74.67 823 89.17 Blank ballots 231 25.33 100 10.83 Total 912 923 Valid votes 912 99.78 923 99.78 Invalid votes 2 0.22 2 0.22 Votes cast / turnout 914 96.72 925 97.88 Not voting 31 3.28 20 2.12 Total delegates 945 945 Sources22 June 1997 PSOE. Elegida la nueva Ejecutiva con casi un 25% de voto en blanco https://www.servimedia.es/noticias/-psoe-elegida-nueva-ejecutiva-casi-25-voto-blanco/1410947119 es Servimedia Madrid 12 April 2025 Vote by delegates (Executive Commission) #ddd 450px 500px Almunia #FF9744 74.67 Blank ballots #DDDDDD 25.33 Vote by delegates (Federal Committee) #ddd 450px 500px Almunia #FF9744 89.17 Blank ballots #DDDDDD 10.83 Executive composition Executive posts: #DDDDDD Leader 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFFF Permanent commission 1px solid #AAAAAA + PSOE federal executive commission Post Officeholder President Ramón Rubial Secretary-General Joaquín Almunia Secretary of Organization Ciprià Ciscar Secretary of Communication Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba Secretary of International Relations Raimon Obiols Secretary of Regional Policy Ramón Jáuregui Secretary of Local Policy Alfonso Perales Secretary of Economy Juan Manuel Eguiagaray Secretary of Employment Joan Lerma Secretary of Social Welfare Clementina Díez de Baldeón Secretary of Social Movements Carmen Cerdeira Secretary of Culture Joaquín Leguina Secretary of Women Participation Micaela Navarro Member without portfolio José Bono Member without portfolio Josep Borrell Member without portfolio Augusto Brito Member without portfolio Abel Caballero Member without portfolio Manuel Chaves Member without portfolio Dolores Eguren Member without portfolio Josefa Frau Member without portfolio Carmen Hermosín Member without portfolio Ana Leiva Member without portfolio María Antonia Martínez Member without portfolio Carmen Martínez Ten Member without portfolio Ana Noguera Member without portfolio Alberto Pérez Cueto Member without portfolio Montserrat Reyes Member without portfolio Teresa Riera Member without portfolio José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Member without portfolio Consuelo Rumí Member without portfolio Paquita Sauquillo Member without portfolio Narcís Serra Member without portfolio Francisco Vázquez SourcesPaz Rosa 23 June 1997 Sólo los guerristas se oponen a Almunia https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/1997/06/23/pagina-11/34605088/pdf.html es La Vanguardia Madrid 5 April 202523 June 1997 Un 55% de caras nuevas en la ejecutiva del PSOE https://elpais.com/diario/1997/06/23/espana/867016803_850215.html es El País Madrid 6 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 Category:1997 in Madrid Category:1997 conferences Category:1997 elections in Spain Category:1997 political party leadership elections Category:June 1997 in Spain 1997 Category:Uncontested political party leadership elections in Spain