2016 PSOE leadership crisis

Spanish political conflict 2016 PSOE leadership crisis infobox 2 280 Pedro Sánchez 2015h (cropped).jpg Susana Díaz 2016f (cropped).jpg Pedro Sánchez and Susana Díaz's long-standing antagonism erupted culminated in a party revolt that saw Sánchez's ouster as leader 26 September – 1 October 2016 Leadership dispute between PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez and Andalusian president Susana Díaz Internal discontent with Sánchez's leadership Disappointing results in the 2015 and 2016 Spanish general elections Sánchez's stance during the 2015–2016 Spanish government formation Outcome of the 2016 Galician and Basque elections Pressure on Pedro Sánchez to resign, prompted by the resignation of a majority of the PSOE's executive committee Resignation of Pedro Sánchez as party leader Caretaker committee established under Javier Fernández PSOE subsequently agrees to allow the formation of a new Spanish government under Mariano Rajoy 2017 PSOE federal party congress A leadership crisis emerged within the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), starting on 26 September 2016, amid internal party dissatisfaction with the party's secretary-general, Pedro Sánchez, and a string of election losses and poor results. These circumstances resulted in a party revolt to force Sánchez's dismissal on 28 September,Jones Sam 29 September 2016 Pedro Sánchez insists he is still in charge of Spanish Socialist party https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/29/pedro-sanchez-insists-still-charge-spanish-socialist-party The Guardian en Madrid 8 July 2026 in an episode lasting until 1 October.Galindo Jorge 29 September 2016 La guerra de las rosas https://elpais.com/elpais/2016/09/28/opinion/1475082334_684216.html es El País 8 July 20261 October 2016 La guerra de las rosas abre todos los diarios https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20161001/prensa-hoy-1-octubre-2016-5439117 es El Periódico de Catalunya Barcelona 8 July 2026 The ensuing power vacuum and Sánchez's replacement by an interim managing committee, coupled with the party's U-turn to allow a minority government under the People's Party (PP) and its leader, Mariano Rajoy, after a 10-month deadlock on government formation, and the resulting worsening of relations with its sister party in Catalonia, the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC), triggered a crisis of a scale unprecedented in the party's 137 years of existence.29 September 2016 Marcos José Díez Anabel El caos se apodera del PSOE ante un escenario inédito en su historia https://elpais.com/politica/2016/09/28/actualidad/1475081244_206826.html es El País Madrid 8 July 2026 The then president of Andalusia, Susana Díaz, had been long considered the most prominent critic of Sánchez and a potential contender for the party's leadership, being the leader of the largest and most important PSOE regional branch and, for years, the only person within the party holding an institutional position of relevance. Ever since Sánchez's first election as PSOE leader—helped by Díaz's own manoeuvres to hold off Eduardo Madina—distrust and rivalry over the party's leadership and political strategy increased between the two.López Alba Gonzalo 16 November 2014 La rivalidad entre Pedro Sánchez y Susana Díaz amenaza la unidad del PSOE https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/interiores/2014-11-16/la-rivalidad-entre-sanchez-y-diaz-amenaza-la-unidad-del-psoe_455925/ es El Confidencial 8 July 2026Sanz Gabriel 15 May 2015 El PSOE, harto del culebrón Sánchez-Díaz https://www.abc.es/espana/20150515/abci-psoe-harta-culebron-201505150013.html es ABC 8 July 2026 After the 2015 and 2016 general elections had resulted in the worst electoral results for the PSOE in its recent history, pressure on Sánchez increased. His record as party leader had alienated many of his former allies and pushed them towards Díaz's sphere.8 December 2014 Los barones del PSOE critican el exceso de protagonismo de Pedro Sánchez http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/6308522/12/14/Los-barones-del-PSOE-critican-el-exceso-de-protagonismo-de-Pedro-Sanchez.html es El Economista 8 July 2026 25 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150625204326/http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/6308522/12/14/Los-barones-del-PSOE-critican-el-exceso-de-protagonismo-de-Pedro-Sanchez.html bot: unknown Cruz Marisa 10 August 2015 Referentes del PSOE advierten a Pedro Sánchez de que su liderazgo 'pende de un hilo' https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/08/10/55c7acf0ca47415d298b4582.html es El Mundo Madrid 8 July 2026 The immediate trigger to the crisis was the poor PSOE showing in the Basque and Galician elections in September 2016, which led critics to call for Sánchez's resignation.Merino Juan Carlos 26 September 2016 La debacle electoral deja a Sánchez contra las cuerdas ante sus críticos https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160926/41572792040/la-debacle-electoral-deja-a-sanchez-contra-las-cuerdas-ante-sus-criticos.html es La Vanguardia Madrid 8 July 2026 Sánchez held out and responded by announcing a party leadership race for October–December which he would contest, enraging dissenters and prompting half the members of the party executive committee—the party's day-to-day ruling body—to resign on 28 September. Sánchez refused to step down and entrenched himself within the party's headquarters, generating the largest crisis in the PSOE's history as neither side acknowledged the legitimacy of the other to act in the party's behalf.Clemente Enrique 29 September 2016 El PSOE se sume en su mayor crisis al negarse Sánchez a irse tras dimitir media ejecutiva https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2016/09/29/psoe-sume-mayor-crisis-negarse-sanchez-irse-tras-dimitir-media-ejecutiva/0003_201609G29P2993.htm es La Voz de Galicia Madrid 8 July 2026 This situation ended when Sánchez resigned after losing a key ballot in a meeting of the party's federal committee on 1 October,1 October 2016 Pedro Sánchez: Spanish Socialist leader resigns https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37529610 en BBC News 8 July 2026 being replaced by a caretaker committee and leaving behind a shattered PSOE.Ruiz Sierra Juan 1 October 2016 Sánchez dimite, el PSOE implosiona https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20161001/pedro-sanchez-dimite-psoe-implosiona-5440265 es El Periódico de Catalunya Madrid 8 July 2026 Commentators predicted that this set of events would allow the party to abstain in a hypothetical Rajoy's investiture,Reuters 2 October 2016 Pedro Sánchez resigns as leader of Spain's Socialist party https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/01/pedro-sanchez-resigns-as-leader-of-spains-socialist-party en The Guardian Madrid 8 July 2026 something which was confirmed on 23 October when the party's federal committee chose to backflip and allow the formation of a new PP government in order to prevent a third election from happening.23 October 2016 Spain's Socialists vote to allow Rajoy minority government https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37744078 en BBC News 8 July 2026 The PSC—associated with the PSOE since 1978—would not abide by the committee's decision and break party discipline,Puig Laura Barrena Xabier 24 October 2016 Iceta: "El PSC desobedecerá y asumirá las consecuencias" https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20161024/iceta-psc-desobedecera-psoe-asumira-consecuencias-5583610 en El Periódico de Catalunya Barcelona 8 July 2026 together with eight other PSOE deputies which rejected allowing Rajoy's investiture as prime minister of Spain.Díez Anabel Marcos José 30 October 2016 Los 15 diputados del PSOE que votaron no https://elpais.com/politica/2016/10/29/actualidad/1477739886_198194.html es El País Madrid 8 July 2026 Sánchez resigned his seat in the Congress of Deputies and announced a new run for the PSOE leadership in the incoming leadership contest in May 2017,Díez Anabel Marcos José 30 October 2016 Pedro Sánchez deja el escaño y lanza su candidatura a la secretaría general https://elpais.com/politica/2016/10/29/actualidad/1477735635_217414.html es El País Madrid 8 July 2026 which he would win handily.Morillo Isabel Romero Juanma 21 May 2017 Pedro Sánchez gana con rotundidad las primarias y Susana Díaz asume su derrota https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2017-05-21/primarias-psoe-pedro-sanchez-susana-diaz-secretario-general_1386079/ es El Confidencial 8 July 2026 Background Pedro Sánchez, a member of the PSOE unknown to the public and much of the party membership, succeeded Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba as Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party on 26 July 2014 at a party extraordinary congress, having won a leadership election held earlier that month with 48.7% of the membership vote to Eduardo Madina's 36.2%.http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2203198/0/pedro-sanchez/proclamado-psoe/secretario-general/ es El Congreso del PSOE proclama a Pedro Sánchez como secretario general del partido 20 minutos 26 July 2014 Andalusia President Susana Díaz's support for Sánchez to hold off Madina was a determining factor in Sánchez's victory, as the party's Andalusian membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of Sánchez.http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2014-07-13/pedro-sanchez-gana-las-primarias-con-el-65-del-voto-escrutado_161358/ es Sánchez arrasa en Andalucía y se impone a Madina en las primarias del PSOE El Confidencial 13 July 2014 Madina's move to trigger a primary election forced Díaz—who was said to be seeking an election by acclamation—out of the leadership race,http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2014/06/10/5396a1c1ca47416f438b456c.html es Susana Díaz no se presenta a liderar el PSOE para no desgastarse como presidenta El Mundo 10 June 2014 prompting her to support Sánchez in order to prevent a potential Madina victory.http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pedro-Sanchez-Madina-Susana-Diaz_0_275423230.html es El apoyo de Susana Díaz permite a Pedro Sanchez superar en avales a Madina eldiario.es 10 June 2014 However, the alliance between Sánchez and Díaz was short-lived. Díaz reportedly intended to become the PSOE candidate for the 2015 general election, putting her support behind Sánchez's election in exchange for Sánchez later paving the way for her arrival. However, Sánchez's own political aspirations, coupled with his perceived failure to cope successfully with the newly-founded Podemos party's growth in opinion polls, as well as personal differences,http://blogs.elconfidencial.com/espana/interiores/2014-10-26/panico-electoral-en-el-psoe_410819/ es Pánico electoral en el PSOE El Confidencial 26 October 2014 caused both leaders to grow increasingly distrustful of each other. Díaz took advantage of growing criticism of Sánchez's behaviour among party members, seeking to sway their views in her favour and increase her strength in terms of the growing rivalry between the two. Such was the criticism of Sánchez within the party that it succeeded in causing prominent PSOE members and former rivals such as Eduardo Madina and Susana Díaz, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and Carme Chacón, Felipe González and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, as well as six out of the seven PSOE regional presidents, to abandon their long-standing feuds and unite against Sánchez.http://www.eldiario.es/politica/empezo-crisis-PSOE-anteayer_0_564143894.html es ¿Cuándo empezó todo? La crisis del PSOE no es de anteayer eldiario.es 29 September 2016 Government formation 2015–2016 Spanish government formation The 2015 general election had resulted in the most-fragmented parliament in decades, and the PSOE obtaining its worst election result since the Spanish transition to democracy, with 90 seats and 22.0% of the vote. Podemos and its allies together garnered 69 seats and 20.7%, fairly close to PSOE and threatening the party's hegemony as the main leftist political force in Spain. Under these circumstances, Pedro Sánchez came under criticism for the poor results, as well as for his handling of the post-election situation. Then-acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and C's leader Albert Rivera both suggested a grand coalition between their parties and PSOE, but this proposal met with opposition from Sánchez, who preferred to study alternative pacts.http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/12/23/actualidad/1450869148_958153.html es Sánchez dice 'no' a Rajoy e intentará formar un Gobierno de cambio El País 23 December 2015http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/12/23/videos/1450861316_437689.html es Rivera ofrece a PP y PSOE un acuerdo de legislatura con reformas concretas El País 23 December 2015 Pablo Iglesias of Podemos laid out stiff terms to even consider starting negotiations for a coalition with the PSOE,http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pablo-Iglesias-condiciones-acuerdo-revocatorios_0_464754384.html es Pablo Iglesias pone condiciones para el acuerdo: blindaje de derechos, reforma electoral, revocatorios y nuevo acuerdo territorial eldiario.es 21 December 2015 whereas Susana Díaz warned Sánchez that the party's position on coalition deals had to be decided "within a federal committee and not by the Secretary General", in a move seen as an attempt to limit Sánchez's autonomy in pact-management.http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/12/24/actualidad/1450974572_109966.html es Los barones del PSOE se unen contra Sánchez para limitar su poder de pacto El País 24 December 2015 A party federal committee—the highest party decision-making body between congresses—was held on 28 December, outlining the PSOE's pact policy, including an express rejection of any pact with PP, or negotiations with parties that supported self-determination—Catalan separatist parties, ERC and DL, but also Podemos, which had supported a referendum on independence for Catalonia as an election pledge.http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/12/28/5681231b46163f03158b464a.html es Pedro Sánchez no intentará ser presidente 'a cualquier precio' si Rajoy fracasa El Mundo 28 December 2015 Sánchez's critics did not hide their desire for Sánchez to be replaced by someone else at the next party congress, due for February, to which Sánchez responded by suggesting a postponement of the congress until after the formation of a government.http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/12/28/568133d046163fbb3d8b4576.html es Los principales barones quieren renovar la dirección del PSOE en febrero El Mundo 28 December 2015 The idea met with strong opposition from critics, who publicly proclaimed that the congress should be held "when it is due".http://www.abc.es/espana/abci-susana-diaz-rechaza-idea-sanchez-retrasar-congreso-psoe-201512281155_noticia.html es Susana Díaz rechaza la idea de Sánchez de retrasar el congreso del PSOE ABC 28 December 2015http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Barones-PSOE-liderazgo-Pedro-Sanchez_0_467553372.html es Barones del PSOE exigen un congreso inmediato para discutir el liderazgo de Pedro Sánchez eldiario.es 28 December 2015 Susana Díaz was said to be seeking to replace Sánchez as PSOE leader herself and eventually lead the party into a new general election,http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2015/12/27/567f041222601d377e8b459e.html es Pedro Sánchez y Susana Díaz avanzan hacia el choque de trenes El Mundo 27 December 2015http://www.elespanol.com/elecciones/elecciones-generales/20151228/90240978_0.html es Los barones del PSOE buscan nuevas elecciones sin Sánchez El Español 28 December 2015http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/12/28/actualidad/1451330848_721076.html es El PSOE se divide por los intentos de un sector para relevar a Sánchez El País 29 December 2015 securing the support of several party factions which deemed Sánchez's leadership too weak and unreliable in the event of a new general election being held.http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/01/01/actualidad/1451679389_497247.html es Los barones del PSOE dan por segura la repetición de las elecciones El País 2 January 2016http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/01/02/5686d70122601d083d8b459a.html es Pesos pesados del PSOE piden que Susana Díaz sustituya ya a Pedro Sánchez El Mundo 2 January 2016http://noticias.lainformacion.com/politica/partidos/pedro-sanchez-acorralado-por-susana-diaz-los-barones-la-vieja-guardia-y-el-psm_18Nyz1pnOCDQ8s2iXQisX6/ es Pedro Sánchez, acorralado por Susana Díaz, los barones, la vieja guardia y el PSM La Información 2 January 2016 31 January 2016 6 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160206195059/http://noticias.lainformacion.com/politica/partidos/pedro-sanchez-acorralado-por-susana-diaz-los-barones-la-vieja-guardia-y-el-psm_18Nyz1pnOCDQ8s2iXQisX6/? dead Valencian President Ximo Puig said during an interview that "if a new election is held, the PSOE must consider a change of candidate"http://www.lasprovincias.es/politica/201512/24/nuevas-elecciones-psoe-debe-20151223234759-v.html es "Si hay nuevas elecciones el PSOE debe analizar si cambia al candidato" Las Provincias 24 December 2015 while Castile-La Mancha President Emiliano García-Page commented that "no one disputes the ability of Susana Diaz to be Prime Minister".http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/7252885/12/15/Emiliano-GarciaPage-Nadie-discute-la-capacidad-de-Susana-Diaz-para-ser-presidenta.html es Emiliano García-Page: "Nadie discute la capacidad de Susana Díaz para ser presidenta" El Economista 31 December 2015 Debate over the date for the party congress focused on two clashing positions: that of the party's leadership, headed by Sánchez, who wished the congress to be held in June, and that of Sánchez's dissenters, who favoured it being held as early as April.http://www.abc.es/espana/abci-barones-forzaran-sanchez-para-adelantar-abril-congreso-psoe-201601300131_noticia.html es Los barones forzarán hoy a Sánchez para adelantar a abril el Congreso del PSOE ABC 30 January 2016 The result was a victory for the critics' position during another federal committee held on 30 January, where the dates for both the party primary and congress were set for May. This meant that the leadership contest would be over in time for the event of a snap general election, which would not be held until June at the least.http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/01/31/56ad243c22601d02658b45eb.html es Ferraz quiere blindar al líder como candidato El Mundo 31 January 2016 However, after Pedro Sánchez announced he would allow party members to vote on any deal he reached with other parties, the Committee allowed Pedro Sánchez to try to reach an agreement to be appointed prime minister, as long as he respected the agreed pact-making red lines.http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/01/30/56ac93ebca4741f43b8b456c.html es Pedro Sánchez reta a los barones y dará voz a la militancia El Mundo 30 January 2016 Party sources indicated the high likelihood of Susana Díaz's candidacy if Sánchez failed in his attempt at becoming prime minister.http://www.elconfidencial.com/elecciones-generales/2016-02-01/un-sector-del-psoe-da-ya-por-hecho-que-susana-diaz-dara-el-salto-a-ferraz-en-mayo_1144541/ es Un sector del PSOE da ya por hecho que Susana Díaz dará el salto a Ferraz en mayo El Confidencial 1 February 2016 On 1 February, leaked recordings from the party's federal committee held two days earlier revealed Susana Díaz openly questioning Pedro Sánchez's performance throughout the month after the general election. She, alongside other regional party leaders, highlighted the party's red lines for negotiation and argued strongly against any possibility of an agreement with Podemos, intending to hamper Sánchez's chances of becoming prime minister.http://cadenaser.com/ser/2016/02/01/politica/1454299050_367049.html es Críticas en el Comité Federal del PSOE a Podemos y a la gestión de Sánchez Cadena SER 1 February 2016 After Sánchez's two failed investiture votes, sources reported Susana Díaz as being determined to challenge Sánchez for the party's leadership,Susana Díaz prepara el asalto a la dirección del PSOE es http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/diaz-prepara-asalto-liderazgo-psoe-pedro-sanchez-congreso-psoe-4998355 El Periódico de Catalunya 22 March 2016 but viewing as undesirable the prospect of an attempt to open the issue of the PSOE succession amid government formation negotiations and with a new election looming for 26 June. Now seeking to postpone the congress, on 28 March it was decided that the PSOE leadership race should be delayed "indefinitely" "until the formation of a new government".El retraso del congreso del PSOE aplaza el pulso entre Sánchez y Díaz es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/03/28/actualidad/1459160979_153836.html El País 28 March 2016 Timeline Lead up to events For months, the internal situation within the PSOE remained at a standstill. Criticism of Sánchez by party dissenters for his hardline stance on Rajoy's investiture, said to be a contributing factor to the country's political deadlock, had been kept at bay by the party's performance in the 2016 general election, with threats from Sánchez's critics to hold him to account for a hypothetical party collapse on 26 June narrowly failing to materialize.26J: los barones no darán margen a Pedro Sánchez para reaccionar en caso de catástrofe electoral es http://vozpopuli.com/actualidad/84382-26j-los-barones-no-daran-margen-a-pedro-sanchez-para-reaccionar-en-caso-de-catastrofe-electoral Vozpópuli 19 June 2016Sánchez evita el 'sorpasso' pero reduce sus opciones de gobernar es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160627/402782116993/sanchez-evita-el-sorpasso-pero-reduce-sus-opciones-de-gobernar.html La Vanguardia 27 June 2016 This all changed in the run-up to the Basque and Galician regional elections, scheduled for late September 2016. The PSOE branches in both regions were widely seen as being among Sánchez's supporters, prompting dissenters to frame the elections as a test of Sánchez and of the broader political mood in Spain after nine months of political impasse.Sánchez vuelve a calibrar su liderazgo en las elecciones gallegas y vascas es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160922/41496989367/sanchez-vuelve-a-calibrar-su-liderazgo-en-las-elecciones-gallegas-y-vascas.html La Vanguardia 22 September 2016 Party figures such as regional premiers Susana Díaz (Andalusia), Guillermo Fernández Vara (Extremadura), Javier Lambán (Aragon) and Emiliano García-Page (Castile-La Mancha); as well as former figures such as Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba (Sánchez's predecessor as PSOE leader), Eduardo Madina (Sánchez's rival in the party's 2014 leadership contest), Elena Valenciano (former PSOE deputy leader) and Carme Chacón (former Defence Minister), all became involved in a series of disputes with the national party leadership in the weeks leading up to the regional elections, weakening Sánchez's standing and indicating a loss of support within the party.Susana Díaz, Madina, Rubalcaba, Chacón y Valenciano publican su apoyo a Fernández Vara es http://www.eldiario.es/eldiarioex/Susana-Rubalcaba-Chacon-Valenciano-Fernandez_0_558894512.html eldiario.es 14 September 2016Page y Lambán avisan a Sánchez de la irresponsabilidad de convocar ahora el congreso es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160923/41522720032/emiliano-garcia-page-javier-lamban-pedro-sanchez-irresponsabilidad-convocar-congreso-psoe.html La Vanguardia 23 September 2016 26–27 September The poor PSOE showing in both Galicia and the Basque Country, being overtaken by Podemos-led alliances and polling record low results,El PP coge aire en las urnas gallegas y vascas frente a un PSOE en caída libre es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2845331/0/elecciones-vascas-gallegas-directo/ 20 minutos 26 September 2016 prompted dissenters—led by Susana Díaz—to call for Sánchez's immediate resignation on 26 September.El PSOE andaluz estalla e inicia una guerra en campo abierto contra Sánchez es http://www.publico.es/politica/psoe-andaluz-estalla-e-inicia.html Público 26 September 2016Susana Díaz quiere retrasar el congreso y exige a Pedro Sánchez que asuma "responsabilidades" es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/26/57e90978ca474191058b4589.html El Mundo 26 September 2016 Sánchez refused to step down and announced his plan to hold a party primary election on 23 October, daring his critics to challenge him in a back-me-or-sack-me vote.Pedro Sánchez reta a sus críticos a presentarse a las primarias: "Es muy importante que tengamos una sola voz" es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/26/57e8ee4122601d2a668b45ae.html El Mundo 26 September 2016 This move further enraged his opponents, who considered staging a revolt in the federal committee scheduled for 1 October, seeking to topple Sánchez and cancel his plan to hold an early party congress.Amplio rechazo de los críticos a Sánchez a su propuesta de celebrar un congreso es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/26/actualidad/1474876008_837126.html El País 26 September 2016 Marcos José Los barones pasan a la acción: "Le echamos o desaparecemos" es http://www.larazon.es/espana/los-barones-pasan-a-la-accion-le-echamos-o-desaparecemos-NE13602528 La Razón 26 September 2016Los críticos quieren forzar una moción de censura contra Sánchez en el Comité Federal es http://www.libertaddigital.com/espana/2016-09-26/los-criticos-piden-un-cambio-de-rumbo-y-despertar-de-la-era-sanchez-no-podemos-seguir-asi-1276583248/ Libertad Digital 26 September 2016 With party discipline breaking down rapidly, Sánchez's supporters praised his plan to hold an "express" party primary and called for "all out war!" against dissenters, suggesting that the Sánchez–Díaz feud over leadership and political strategy had resulted in a deeply divided party fighting for its very existence.Los fieles de Pedro Sánchez celebran su plan: "¡Es la guerra! ¡Total y nuclear!" es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160926/41588057453/fieles-pedro-sanchez-guerra-total-nuclear.html La Vanguardia 26 September 2016Spain's socialists at war over political stalemate https://www.ft.com/content/2ba0b8b2-83fd-11e6-8897-2359a58ac7a5 Financial Times 26 September 2016 On 27 September, in her first public statements after Sánchez's gamble, Susana Díaz hinted at the possibility of becoming leader of the PSOE, expressing her discomfort with Sánchez's plan to hold a party primary and congress in October while reminding the incumbent PSOE leader of his many electoral defeats throughout his tenure, in contrast to Díaz's own electoral performance in the 2015 Andalusian regional election.Susana Díaz se abre a liderar el PSOE: "Estaré donde me pongan mis compañeros, en la cabeza o en la cola" es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160927/41610339537/susana-diaz-liderar-psoe-pedro-sanchez.html La Vanguardia 27 September 2016 Concurrently, a majority within the party's parliamentary group in the Congress of Deputies voiced their opposition to Sánchez's plans to hold a party congress.Una mayoría de voces se pronuncia contra Sánchez en la reunión del grupo parlamentario es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/27/actualidad/1474991194_420304.html El País 27 September 2016 Marcos José 28 September Former Socialist Prime Minister Felipe González added to the pressure on Sánchez by declaring that the PSOE was in no condition to attempt to form a government themselves, while stating that he felt "cheated" because Sánchez had told him on 29 June that he would abstain in the second round of voting for Rajoy's investiture.Felipe González: "Sánchez me dijo que se iba a abstener. Me siento engañado" es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/28/actualidad/1475042898_111590.html El País 28 September 2016 Sánchez's statements during an interview held earlier in the day claiming González to be "on the [Rajoy's investiture] abstention side" and rhetorically asking "I'd like to know on which side Susana Díaz is", coupled with an earlier warning that he would not step down even if 1 October federal committee voted down his plans for a party congress in late 2016, were said to be the straw that broke the camel's back for open revolution to unfold within the party.Sánchez: "Felipe González está en el bando de la abstención. Me gustaría saber en cuál está Susana Díaz" es http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/7855039/09/16/Sanchez-Felipe-Gonzalez-esta-en-el-bando-de-la-abstencion-Me-gustaria-saber-en-cual-esta-Susana-Diaz.html EcoDiario.es 28 September 2016Pedro Sánchez dice que no dimitirá si el Comité Federal tumba su congreso es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/27/57ea19fcca4741127e8b45c4.html El Mundo 27 September 2016 News emerged that opponents of Sánchez planned to stage a mass resignation from the PSOE federal executive committee, the party's day-to-day governing body—according to party rules, the resignation or vacancy of 51% of its members would force the Secretary General to resign.Media ejecutiva estudia dimitir para forzar la salida de Pedro Sánchez es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/27/actualidad/1475004833_836653.html El País 28 September 2016 Díez Anabel Los críticos buscan el modo más "eficaz" de fulminar a Sánchez para el comité federal es http://www.elconfidencial.com/elecciones-generales/2016-09-27/los-criticos-buscan-formulas-para-fulminar-a-pedro-sanchez-para-el-comite-federal_1266234/ El Confidencial 27 September 2016 Upon learning of this, Pedro Sánchez went further and dared them to do so if they "did not feel committed" to his project,Pedro Sánchez reta a los críticos a dimitir hoy mismo de la ejecutiva es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160928/41637668463/pedro-sanchez-reta-criticos-dimitir-ejecutiva-federal.html La Vanguardia 28 September 2016 prompting dissenters to act ahead of schedule and resulting in 17 executive members, the required majority, resigning from their posts on 28 September.Susana Díaz adelantó la operación contra Sánchez al animar éste a los críticos a dimitir es http://www.lainformacion.com/politica/Susana-PSOE-Sanchez-Felipe-Gonzalez_0_958105329.html El País 29 September 2016 This triggered the body's dissolution, theoretically prompting Sánchez's resignation.Pedro Sánchez se niega a dejar su cargo es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/28/actualidad/1475061199_018971.html El País 28 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Diecisiete miembros de la Ejecutiva del PSOE dimiten para provocar la caída de Pedro Sánchez es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/28/57ebd104e2704eca128c05c4.html El Mundo 28 September 2016 The 17 resigning executive membersLas 17 dimisiones en la ejecutiva del PSOE para forzar la salida de Pedro Sánchez es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/28/actualidad/1475047479_530114.html El País 28 September 2016http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/28/57ebd104e2704eca128c05c4.html Diecisiete miembros de la Ejecutiva del PSOE dimiten para provocar la caída de Pedro Sánchez Luis Ángel Sanz El Mundo Micaela Navarro President; 2nd Vice President of the Congress of Deputies Antonio Pradas Secretary for Federal Policy María José Sánchez Rubio Secretary for Health Estefanía Martín Palop Secretary for Training Noemí Cruz Secretary for Development Cooperation Javier Francisco Pizarro Ruiz At-large member Juan Pablo Durán Federal executive member Emiliano García-Page At-large member; President of Castile-La Mancha Manuela Galiano Secretary for Small Municipalities María Luz Rodríguez Fernández Secretary for Labour Ximo Puig Secretary for Democratic Reforms; President of the Valencian Government Tomás Gómez At-large member Eva Matarín Secretary for Immigration Carme Chacón Secretary for International Relations; former Minister of Defence José Miguel Pérez García Secretary for Education Carlos Pérez Anadón At-large member María Ascensión Murillo At-large member Sánchez, however, refused to resign and remained in his position, with rebels responding that Sánchez no longer had "any legitimacy to take decisions in the party's name" and urging him to "acknowledge party rules".Pedro Sánchez se atrinchera frente a su destitución por la ejecutiva del PSOE es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/28/actualidad/1475081280_084577.html El País 28 September 2016 Marcos José La guerra total se desata en el PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pedro-Sanchez-perdido-control-PSOE_0_563794589.html eldiario.es 28 September 2016 Sánchez was determined to keep the remaining executive functioning—now fully supportive of him after the critics' resignations—and rejected its dissolution, summoning it for an emergency meeting on the following day.Luena asegura que no se disuelve la Ejecutiva y que se reunirá mañana sin los críticos para convocar el Comité Federal es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-luena-asegura-no-disuelve-ejecutiva-reunira-manana-criticos-convocar-comite-federal-20160928193127.html Europa Press 28 September 2016Spanish socialist leader faces revolt over refusal to end political deadlock https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/28/spanish-socialist-leader-faces-revolt-over-refusal-to-end-political-deadlock The Guardian 28 September 2016 29 September By the next day, the PSOE had descended further into chaos,Revienta el PSOE es http://www.publico.es/politica/revienta-psoe.html Público 29 September 2016 as both sides refused to recognize the other's legitimacy to act and clashed on the interpretation of party rules, with Sánchez barricading himself in the party's headquarters in Calle de Ferraz (Spanish for Ferraz street), Madrid, as his supporters accused dissenters of "staging a coup". Critics proclaimed that they were now in control of the party,La dimisión de los críticos deja el PSOE partido en dos es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160929/41648691158/el-psoe-estalla-con-el-golpe-a-sanchez.html La Vanguardia 29 September 2016El sector de Pedro Sánchez acusa a los críticos de intentar "un golpe de Estado" es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/entorno-Pedro-Sanchez-criticos-intentado_0_563794586.html eldiario.es 29 September 2016 and Verónica Pérez, President of the federal committee and pupil of Susana Díaz, claimed herself to be "the only authority that exists in the PSOE, whether [Sánchez's supporters] like it or not" under party rules.La presidenta de la Mesa del Comité Federal: "La única autoridad en el PSOE soy yo, les guste o no" es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/29/actualidad/1475134317_071321.html El País 29 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Dissenters sought to convene the party's guarantees federal commission—an independent body tasked with resolving disputes within the party—to forcibly depose Sánchez,Los críticos ya no reconocen a Sánchez como secretario general y convocan al Comité de Garantías para destituirlo es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/29/57ec2c19ca4741ce708b456d.html El Mundo 29 September 2016 but Sánchez's supporters argued that they had no right to summon the guarantees commission and that their actions were "void".Presidenta de la Comisión de Garantías del PSOE dice que este órgano no está convocado porque sólo ella puede hacerlo es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-av-presidenta-comision-garantias-psoe-dice-organo-no-convocado-porque-solo-ella-puede-hacerlo-20160929102547.html Europa Press 29 September 2016 Nonetheless, three of the five commission members demanded that the body be convened and accused Sánchez of "preventing them from acting", stating they would issue a dictum themselves if the body was not convened within 24 hours.Los críticos de la Comisión de Ética del PSOE exigen que se convoque el órgano es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/29/actualidad/1475134285_002259.html El País 29 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Sánchez persisted with his intention to stage a primary and congress, and set a timetable with hastened deadlines for them to be held.Pedro Sánchez propone un congreso extraordinario el 12 y 13 de noviembre con primarias en octubre es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/29/actualidad/1475133627_579572.html El País 29 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Party members found themselves evenly split between those that supported him and were "deeply embarrassed" by the "show" being staged by his opponents, and those that demanded Sánchez's removal and the establishment of a caretaker committee to replace him in the interim.¿Y ahora qué? El PSOE se sume en el caos es http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2016/09/29/psoe-sume-caos/0003_201609G29P4999.htm La Voz de Galicia 29 September 2016 The fracture deepened as the crisis spread through the regions, with regional party branches picking sides either for or against Sánchez.La crisis del PSOE se extiende a los territorios es http://www.publico.es/politica/crisis-del-psoe-extiende-territorios.html Público 29 September 2016 Susana Díaz, in her first public speech after the revolt, criticized Sánchez's record as party leader, accusing him of being motivated "out of personal interest" and offering herself to reconcile the party.Susana Díaz se ofrece ahora para "coser" la brecha y dice que el PSOE no es "sólo" de sus militantes es http://www.elmundo.es/andalucia/2016/09/29/57ed348ae2704e615b8b458e.html El Mundo 29 September 2016 Díaz would seek instead to have the party congress be held "in due time", only after the political deadlock in Spain had been solved.Susana Díaz se ofrece a "coser" y "conciliar" el PSOE es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/29/actualidad/1475138851_378278.html El País 29 September 2016 Limón Raúl 30 September On 30 September, both sides were reportedly readying themselves for the meeting of the PSOE's 295-member federal committee scheduled for Saturday, 1 October. While the meeting of top party officials was initially expected to analyze the regional election results and to discuss and update the party's position on any future investiture,Sánchez convoca al comité federal y se prepara para el enfrentamiento es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/21/actualidad/1474472225_859125.html El País 22 September 2016 Díez Anabel new developments had made the meeting key to determining the party's short-term future. The crippled PSOE executive committee under Sánchez had convened the previous day to call a new federal committee for the same day and time as initially scheduled, now with the intention of approving Sánchez's plan to hold an extraordinary congress to renew the party's leadership.Ferraz no cede y convoca el Comité Federal para que los militantes elijan al nuevo líder del PSOE en tres semanas es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/29/57ed0c77ca4741ce708b4643.html El Mundo 29 September 2016 Critics declared the new convention "illegal", instead only recognizing the meeting called for that date by the fully functional executive before the revolt. This meant that the two factions intended to hold two separate meetings, but at the same time and place.Pedro Sánchez y los críticos luchan por apropiarse del PSOE es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/30/57ed874c468aebf6278b4684.html El Mundo 30 September 2016 Meanwhile, 'officialists' supportive of Sánchez struggled to keep control over the parliamentary party in the Congress of Deputies,La dirección socialista intenta evitar la confrontación entre los diputados es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/29/actualidad/1475165227_518430.html El País 30 September 2016 Garea Fernando with just half the 84 PSOE deputies remaining loyal to Sánchez and the rest siding with the rebels.Sánchez se queda sólo con 40 diputados a su favor es http://www.larazon.es/espana/sanchez-se-queda-con-40-diputados-CH13631982 La Razón 30 September 2016 Also, for the first time since the mass resignation from the federal executive committee, Sánchez's supporters acknowledged their status as an "interim" PSOE executive.Los partidarios de Pedro Sánchez se declaran Ejecutiva del PSOE "en funciones" es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/30/actualidad/1475239610_263574.html El País 30 September 2016 Alberola Miquel Attempts from both sides to reach some sort of compromise to prevent all out war from raging at the next day's federal committee failed, with the two factions' positions seemingly irreconcilable in the short term.Fracasa el primer intento de negociación entre los dos sectores del PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Ferraz-intermedio-desconcierto-Comite-Federal_0_564493831.html eldiario.es 30 September 2016 Police intervention was required ahead of Saturday's meeting to deal with possible unrest between party members in the area around the Madrid headquarters as the interim leadership pleaded with party supporters for "serenity" and "prudence" to prevent the conflict from escalating further.El PSOE pide refuerzos a la delegación del Gobierno por si hay disturbios el sábado en Ferraz es http://www.abc.es/espana/abci-psoe-pide-refuerzos-delegacion-gobierno-si-disturbios-sabado-ferraz-201609301352_noticia.html ABC 30 September 2016 After Sánchez chose not to convene the guarantees commission until after the federal committee,El PSOE aplaza la comisión de garantías para después del comité federal es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/30/actualidad/1475227562_214485.html El País 30 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José the three Sánchez critics on the commission issued a report endorsing the executive committee's dissolution and calling for the federal committee to fill the power vacuum. They also deemed that party rules did not provide for the "interim" status that Sánchez's executive had conferred upon itself, with any decision adopted in such circumstances being "completely without any statutory validity and null and void".Críticos de la Comisión de Garantías dan por "disuelta" la Ejecutiva y ven "conveniente" una gestora del PSOE es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/30/57ee9fca22601d6c238b45bb.html El Mundo 30 September 2016La mayoría de la comisión de garantías del PSOE pide que se constituya una gestora para dirigir el partido es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/29/actualidad/1475161003_677114.html El País 30 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Pedro Sánchez immediately held a press conference—his first since the crisis started—and challenged dissenters to vote on the party's position on a future Rajoy investiture vote, promising to step down if the federal committee decided to support an abstention.Pedro Sánchez afirma que dimitirá hoy si pierde ante los críticos es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/30/57eea86622601de9318b45a3.html El Mundo 30 September 2016 However, Sánchez's critics were undeterred, retaining their plan to depose Sánchez in Saturday's meeting nonetheless.Los críticos quieren tumbar a Sánchez en dos votaciones este sábado para forzar una gestora es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20160930/41687544560/criticos-pedro-sanchez-gestora-comite-federal-psoe.html La Vanguardia 30 September 2016 1 October The two factions vying for control of PSOE faced the federal committee with no prospect of reconciliation and with diametrically opposing views. Pedro Sánchez's officialists sought to retain control of the leadership until a congress to be held soon thereafter.Los dos sectores del PSOE afrontan un comité federal a cara de perro es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/09/30/actualidad/1475266255_419939.html El País 30 September 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Critics under Susana Díaz intended to take full control of the party by deposing Sánchez in the party assembly and appointing a caretaker team—expected to be headed by Díaz's close ally Javier Fernández, Asturian President—that would deal with the political consequences of allowing a PP government. The party would then take time to hold a "refoundation congress" and a party primary which Díaz would contest unopposed.Los planes de Susana Díaz para tomar el control del PSOE es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20161001/41699230356/planes-susana-diaz-tomar-control-psoe.html La Vanguardia 1 October 2016El desembarco de Susana Díaz: el PSOE andaluz toca a rebato para tomar Ferraz es http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2016-10-01/crisis-psoe-investidura-psoe-andaluz-susana-diaz-tomar-ferraz_1268854/ El Confidencial 1 October 2016 The party was said to be at the brink of splitting into two if no peaceful solution to the conflict could be found quickly.Los dos bandos en liza por el poder llevan al PSOE al borde de la escisión es http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/7860006/09/16/Los-dos-bandos-en-liza-por-el-poder-llevan-al-PSOE-al-borde-de-la-escision.html EcoDiario.es 30 September 2016 Initially scheduled to begin at 9:00 CEST, disagreements between the two factions over the meeting's agenda and voting census delayed the start of the federal committee meeting by several hours. Seeking to gain time, Sánchez proposed readmitting the 17 executive members who had resigned three days previously and calling the committee to convene the next week, but the rebels rejected this, declaring that they did not recognize him as party leader and describing Sánchez's move as "insulting".Pedro Sánchez propone readmitir a los dimitidos para que la Ejecutiva se reúna el lunes y pacte un nuevo Comité Federal es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pedro-Sanchez-criticos-pelean-punado_0_564843587.html eldiario.es 1 October 2016 Sánchez repeatedly blocked Díaz's attempts to vote on his position as the two sides failed to agree on the purpose of the committee.Caos en el Comité Federal del PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Caos-Comite-Federal-PSOE_0_564843801.html eldiario.es 1 October 2016 In the meantime, the ongoing turmoil attracted hundreds of journalists, policemen, party members and curious observers, who gathered outside the party's headquarters throughout the day.Militantes, periodistas y Policía: el ambiente a la puerta de Ferraz es http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2016-10-01/crisis-psoe-comite-federal-ferraz-pedro-sanchez-ambiente_1268932/ El Confidencial 1 October 2016 Sánchez tried to force a secret ballot on his proposal for a party congress, but it was suspended after critics claimed the ballot box was "hidden" and unsupervised, accusing Sánchez of vote rigging.Lágrimas, insultos, gritos y toneladas de bochorno en el Comité Federal del PSOE es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/01/57ef4eb4ca474103788b4667.html El Mundo 1 October 2016 This action was said to have cost Sánchez support among his allies and prompted rebels to start procedures to trigger a censure motion against him.Los críticos recogen firmas para presentar una moción de censura contra Sánchez es http://www.lainformacion.com/politica/censura-mocion-criticos-pedro-sanchez-votacion_0_958704762.html lainformacion.com 1 October 2016 1 October 2016 2 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161002133647/http://www.lainformacion.com/politica/censura-mocion-criticos-pedro-sanchez-votacion_0_958704762.html dead This was rejected by Sánchez's supporters controlling the assembly, despite the rebels collecting the signatures of more than half of committee members—thus ensuring Sánchez would have been ousted had the vote been allowed.La Mesa del Comité Federal rechaza someter a votación la moción de censura contra Pedro Sánchez es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-mesa-comite-federal-rechaza-someter-votacion-mocion-censura-contra-pedro-sanchez-20161001192607.html Europa Press 1 October 2016 Amid the turmoil, some people, including Susana Díaz herself, were reported to have broken down in tears,Susana Díaz rompe a llorar en Ferraz es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20161001/41714855642/susana-diaz-lloro-ferraz-comite-federal-psoe.html La Vanguardia 10 January 2016 while Sánchez's supporters denounced an attempted assault on Pedro Sánchez by Díaz's deputy, Juan Cornejo.El número dos de Susana Díaz intenta agredir a Pedro Sánchez en el Comité Federal es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2852556/0/numero-dos-susana-diaz-intenta-agredir-pedro-sanchez/ 20 minutos 10 January 2016 An agreement was finally reached between the two factions to vote again on Sánchez's congress proposal—this time by a show of hands—linking the outcome of the vote to Sánchez remaining in his post. Pedro Sánchez lost the ballot by 132 to 107, prompting him to resign as PSOE leader.Pedro Sánchez dimite como secretario general del PSOE es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/01/actualidad/1475346998_362316.html El País 1 October 2016 Díez Anabel Susana Díaz se hace con el control de un PSOE destrozado es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pedro-Sanchez-dimite-orgullo-honor_0_564843896.html eldiario.es 1 October 2016 Following the vote, Sánchez's critics appointed a caretaker commission to lead the party temporarily until a party congress could be held.Javier Fernández dirigirá la gestora del PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Javier-Fernandez-PSOE-Gobierno-alternativo_0_564843932.html eldiario.es 1 October 2016 It was implied that the events of this day may help pave the way for the formation of a new government and put an end to nine months of political deadlock, as the rebels considered an abstention in a potential forthcoming vote on Rajoy's investiture. Reactions Members from the People's Party refused to get involved in the PSOE crisis and said they would not "comment on other parties' issues", just calling for the party to "solve its problems soon" so it could put an end to the political deadlock.El PP espera que el PSOE resuelva el sábado sus problemas y ponga fin a un bloqueo político que ya tiene coste económico es http://www.lainformacion.com/politica/partidos/PP-PSOE-problemas-politico-economico_0_957505593.html lainformacion.com 27 September 2016Sáenz de Santamaría, sobre la crisis del PSOE: "El Gobierno no puede comentar asuntos de otros partidos" es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-saenz-santamaria-crisis-psoe-gobierno-no-puede-comentar-asuntos-otros-partidos-20160928224407.html Europa Press 28 September 2016 Nonetheless, PP leaders were said to be "incredulous" and "concerned" with "all that was happening within PSOE", worried at the prospect of a party fracture that would leave Podemos as the dominant leftist force in Spanish politics.Las tres razones por las que la crisis del PSOE preocupa, y mucho, en el PP es http://blogs.elconfidencial.com/espana/dos-palabras/2016-09-30/crisis-psoe-razones-preocupacion-pp-investidura-rajoy_1268214/ El Confidencial 30 September 2016 Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo said that PSOE's situation was "schizophrenic" and that the party could not "afford for a new general election to be held at this time".Margallo cree que el PSOE "no está en el mejor momento" para ir a unas elecciones es http://www.expansion.com/economia/politica/2016/10/01/57efb6f6ca4741115a8b4657.html Expansión 1 October 2016 In contrast, Podemos leaders openly accused PSOE rebels of committing "fraud" by attempting to remove Sánchez through "undemocratic means", with the ultimate goal of ending the deadlock by helping Rajoy to get re-elected.Pablo Iglesias ve un "fraude" las dimisiones en la dirección del PSOE para hacer caer a Sánchez es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/09/28/57ebeb5ae2704e832e8b459d.html El Mundo 28 September 2016Rajoy ordena a sus cargos no inmiscuirse en la guerra interna del PSOE es http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/partido-popular-podemos-reaccion-crisis-psoe-5431673 El Periódico de Catalunya 29 September 2016 Podemos' Secretary General Pablo Iglesias described the PSOE's turmoil as "the most important crisis since the end of the Civil War, in the most important Spanish party of the past century". Leaders from Citizens commented that the PSOE had to "take this opportunity" to "allow for a PP government checked from opposition".Arrimadas anima al PSOE a controlar un nuevo gobierno PP desde la oposición es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Arrimadas-PSOE-controlar-PP-oposicion_0_564843808.html eldiario.es 1 October 2016 Sánchez's supporters gathered at the PSPV headquarters in Valencia on 29 September to denounce Ximo Puig's support in the revolt against the PSOE leader, with chants of "Coup plotters out from the Socialist Party!" and "Ximo liar" being heard.Protesta en Blanqueries: "¡Fuera golpistas del partido socialista!" es http://www.eldiario.es/cv/golpistas-partido-socilista_0_564144547.html eldiario.es 29 September 2016 The PSC announced its support for Sánchez by planning to bring buses from Terrassa and other towns in Catalonia to Madrid in a show of their allegiance to the Secretary General,Autobuses para apoyar a Pedro Sánchez, la nueva iniciativa del PSC de Tarrasa es http://www.abc.es/espana/abci-autobuses-para-apoyar-pedro-sanchez-nueva-iniciativa-tarrasa-201609291430_noticia.html eldiario.es 29 September 2016 but this was later suspended after Sánchez's executive appealed to party members' serenity to prevent conflict from escalating further.El PSC de Terrassa suspende su movilización en apoyo de Sánchez en Ferraz es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/PSC-Terrassa-movilizacion-Sanchez-Ferraz_0_564494533.html eldiario.es 30 September 2016 Nonetheless, party members who gathered outside PSOE's headquarters in Madrid shouted at critics attending the meeting by calling them "traitors" and "coup plotters", as chants against Susana Díaz and in support of Pedro Sánchez were heard.Críticos del PSOE son recibidos en Ferraz con gritos de "traidores" y "golpistas" es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2852212/0/criticas-psoe-recibidos-ferraz-gritos-traidores-golpistas/ 20 minutos 1 October 2016 Reactions to Pedro Sánchez's resignation were mixed. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias commented that "supporters of a PP government have imposed themselves on PSOE" and called for opponents of the coup to rally behind Podemos as the only remaining leftist alternative in Spain to a Rajoy government. C's leader Albert Rivera praised Susana Díaz's move and called for the PSOE to "help form a government".Podemos aprovecha para capitalizar la salida de Sánchez es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/01/actualidad/1475347805_035346.html eldiario.es 1 October 2016 Sánchez's ouster was reported as being "the most turbulent event" in the party's history,Así fue como Susana Díaz derribó a Pedro Sánchez en las horas más convulsas del PSOE es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2852615/0/pedro-sanchez-dimite-horas-convulsas/ 20 minutos 1 October 2016Las 12 horas que decidieron la caída de Pedro Sánchez es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/01/actualidad/1475352637_277659.html El País 1 October 2016 Marcos José with some regarding the whole event as "shameful".Los críticos tumban a Pedro Sánchez en un bochornoso Comité Federal es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/01/57effbe6468aebeb2f8b45fa.html El Mundo 2 October 2016 Odón Elorza, former San Sebastián mayor and one of those present at the federal committee, stated that party colleagues had become "hopelessly crazy" and accused them of "killing the party". Some remarked that the party had emerged "fatally shattered", with the assembly "ending in the worst way possible"."Locos sin remedio", "muerto" y "roto", así han calificado varios integrantes del PSOE en el Comité Federal es http://www.antena3.com/noticias/espana/locos-remedio-muerto-roto-asi-han-calificado-varios-integrantes-psoe-comite-federal_2016100157eff9a60cf2665823655069.html Antena 3 1 October 2016 Others commented that PSOE had chosen to "commit suicide" after the "sorry spectacle" it had offered, with PSOE member and former minister Javier Solana commenting of Sánchez's poor election results—cited as one of the motives behind his ejection—that "when they become aware of the damages, they will all prefer 85 deputies".Xavier Sardà: "No sólo ha caído Pedro Sánchez. El PSOE se ha suicidado de una forma irreversible" es http://www.lasexta.com/programas/sexta-noche/noticias/xavier-sarda-no-solo-ha-caido-pedro-sanchez-el-psoe-se-ha-suicidado-de-una-forma-irreversible-irreversible_2016100157f025350cf2aa7f6952a975.html laSexta 2 October 2016Spain's Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez resigns es http://www.politico.eu/article/spains-socialist-leader-pedro-sanchez-resigns-politics-mariano-rajoy-psoe/ Politico 1 October 2016 Former minister and Sánchez ally Jordi Sevilla said he was leaving the party because he felt "deeply embarrassed" at the whole event.Jordi Sevilla renuncia a seguir trabajando para el PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Jordi-Sevilla-renuncia-trabajando-PSOE_0_565193531.html eldiario.es 2 October 2016 Pranks Shortly after Pedro Sánchez had been sacked as party leader by the federal committee, while its members were appointing a caretaker team to replace him in the interim, the PSOE was the subject of a prank consisting of a massive pizza delivery. Forum members from both the ForoCoches and La Retaguardia websites had allegedly paid for the prank, with the latter posting a bill for €117 for the delivery on their Twitter account.El PSOE, 'troleado': hacen un pedido masivo de pizzas con destino Ferraz es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2852648/0/psoe-troleado-pedido-masivo-pizzas-ferraz/ 20 minutos 2 October 2016 More pranks were staged over the following days, with several mariachi bands congregating at Ferraz's door to play songs caricaturing the figures of Pedro Sánchez and Susana Díaz."Con votos o sin ellos Sánchez es el rey", "Susanita de mi corazón"… Unos mariachis apaciguan la tensión en Ferraz es http://www.lasexta.com/noticias/nacional/con-votos-o-sin-ellos-sanchez-sigue-siendo-el-rey-susanita-de-mi-corazon-unos-mariachis-apaciguan-la-tension-en-la-sede-del-psoe_2016100357f2746b0cf266582367ff6b.html laSexta 3 October 2016Tras las pizzas, Forocoches vuelve a 'trolear' al PSOE y envía a unos mariachis a Ferraz es http://www.elespanol.com/social/20161003/160234142_0.html El Español 3 October 2016 Subsequent events U-turn on investiture Javier Fernández was appointed to chair the interim managing body that would lead the party in the following months. While stating in a press conference on 3 October that the party remained opposed both to an abstention and a third election, he accepted that one of the two outcomes had to materialize eventually and asserted that "abstaining does not mean supporting Rajoy". However, he acknowledged that such a decision was a matter for a new federal committee and not his caretaker team.El presidente de la gestora del PSOE: "Una abstención no es lo mismo que un apoyo" es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/03/actualidad/1475492492_710571.html La Vanguardia 3 October 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José Ximo Puig, one of the most prominent critics of Pedro Sánchez and a key figure in his sacking, argued against any PSOE facilitation of a Rajoy government and maintained the party should maintain its previous 'no' stance.Ximo Puig: "Ahora no se dan las circunstancias para apoyar a Rajoy" es http://www.elmundo.es/comunidad-valenciana/2016/10/03/57f26841e2704efc7b8b45f6.html El Mundo 3 October 2016 Susana Díaz, leader of the party rebellion and favourite to be picked as PSOE's new secretary general in the forthcoming congress, refused to reveal her stance on Rajoy's investiture and called for "leaving the [caretaker] committee to act", lamenting the "international spectacle" of "Saturday's federal committee".Susana Díaz pide "dejar actuar" a la gestora y cree que "ahora no toca" hablar de la investidura es http://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/Susana-Diaz-PSOE-asegura-investidura_0_565543674.html eldiario.es 3 October 2016 Fernández was aware that a revolt could break out within the party's parliamentary group if the decision—not planned to be submitted to the party's membershipEl PSOE no consultará a las bases si deja gobernar a Mariano Rajoy es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/04/57f2c113468aeb8b0e8b45c3.html El Mundo 4 October 2016—to let Rajoy rule was taken.La mayoría del Grupo Socialista apoya evitar elecciones ante el silencio de los sanchistas es http://www.elconfidencial.com/elecciones-generales/2016-10-04/crisis-psoe-reunion-grupo-division-psoe-investidura-mariano-rajoy_1270214/ El Confidencial 3 October 2016 Substantial tension arose between the different factions within the parliamentary party as the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC)—PSOE sister party in Catalonia—announced its 7 MPs would vote against Rajoy regardless of PSOE's final stance.El PSC resiste en su 'no es no' a Rajoy ante los titubeos del PSOE es http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/psc-romper-disciplina-voto-psoe-abstencion-rajoy-5446531 El Periódico de Catalunya 3 October 2016 Fernández replied to PSC's threat by maintaining that the party would not allow its deputies to break party discipline and vote in conscience,Javier Fernández cierra la puerta a que haya libertad de voto en una investidura de Rajoy es http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2016/10/03/javier-fernandezcierra-puerta-haya-libertad-voto-investidura-rajoy/00031475495732253781893.htm La Voz de Galicia 3 October 2016 while deeming a new election as "the worst solution" for both PSOE and the country.Javier Fernández asume que "la peor de las soluciones" para el PSOE y para España es ir a elecciones es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-javier-fernandez-asume-peor-soluciones-psoe-espana-ir-elecciones-20161003143254.html Europa Press 3 October 2016 A growing number of PSOE deputies followed the PSC line, refusing to be held accountable for the establishment of a new PP government. This included the Socialist Balearic, Basque and Cantabrian branches,Francina Armengol avisa a Fernández de que el PSOE balear defenderá el 'no' al PP es http://www.infolibre.es/noticias/politica/2016/10/12/francina_armengol_avisa_fernandez_que_psoe_balear_defendera_pp_56091_1012.html infoLibre 12 October 2016Los socialistas vascos defenderán el 'no' a Rajoy en el próximo Comité Federal del PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/norte/euskadi/Mendia-Comite-Federal-Ejecutiva-PSE-EE_0_570443740.html eldiario.es 17 October 2016La federación cántabra del PSOE se suma al 'no' a Rajoy es http://cadenaser.com/ser/2016/10/17/politica/1476703757_552638.html Cadena SER 17 October 2016 as well as numerous deputies still loyal to former secretary general Pedro Sánchez—and Sánchez himself, who still kept his seat in Congress.Pedro Sánchez medita entregar su acta de diputado si el PSOE le fuerza a abstenerse ante Rajoy es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pedro-Sanchez-PSOE-abstenerse-Rajoy_0_569393713.html eldiario.es 16 October 2016 Hoping to reduce the risk of a breakdown in party discipline during the vote for Rajoy's investiture, some PSOE members laid out an alternative plan that called for eleven deputies to either abstain or be absent during the vote, ensuring Rajoy would get elected if he could maintain the parliamentary support obtained during his first investiture attempt.El PSOE baraja una 'abstención mínima' de 11 diputados es http://cincodias.com/cincodias/2016/10/06/economia/1475781764_382436.html Cinco Días 7 October 2016El PSOE ve más cerca la ausencia de 11 diputados que la abstención total es http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/7892525/10/16/El-PSOE-ve-mas-cerca-la-ausencia-de-11-diputados-que-la-abstencion-total.html EcoDiario.es 15 October 2016 Susana Díaz's PSOE–A rejected this manoeuvre and called for all deputies to keep party unity and respect the decision taken in a new federal committee scheduled for 23 October.Díaz exige el compromiso de todos los diputados en la abstención del PSOE es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20161015/411013905593/susana-diaz-compromiso-abstencion-psoe.html La Vanguardia 15 October 2016El PSOE andaluz defiende la abstención ante la investidura de Rajoy es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/17/actualidad/1476705149_421483.html El País 17 October 2016 Limón Raúl Díaz's deputy, Juan Cornejo, suggested that MPs refusing to "abide by the federal committee's decision"—in the eventuality an abstention to Rajoy was decided—should resign their seats.El número 2 del PSOE de Andalucía respalda por primera vez la abstención a Mariano Rajoy es http://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/PSOE-A-primera-abstencion-gobierne-PP_0_570443034.html eldiario.es 17 October 2016 Opinion polls conducted after the party crisis showed plummeting support for PSOE, with advocates of abstention arguing that it was no longer Rajoy's post under discussion, but whether he would be elected now or after a third election, expected to result in a landslide win for the PP.El PSOE, ante el dilema definitivo: Rajoy ¿presidente ahora o dentro de 55 días? es http://www.teinteresa.es/politica/PSOE-dilema-definitivo-Rajoy-presidente_0_1670233109.html teinteresa.es 17 October 2016 Members of the party's caretaker leadership were convinced they would be able to push the abstention choice through in the party's federal committee, but remained afraid this move would likely widen the rift opened within the party.El PSOE sacará adelante la abstención a Rajoy pero con un partido dividido es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/16/actualidad/1476633532_728737.html El País 16 October 2016 Díez Anabel Marcos José At a meeting of the parliamentary party on 18 October, a majority of PSOE MPs expressed their support for abstention, while calling for "dedramatizing" this choice, but a faction of the party's group remained opposed.Los partidarios de la abstención se imponen en el grupo parlamentario socialista es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/abstencion-impone-grupo-socialista_0_570793237.html eldiario.es 18 October 2016 In a new convening of the PSOE federal committee on 23 October the party chose by a vote of 139 to 96 to unconditionally allow a Rajoy minority government through an abstention once Congress considered Rajoy's candidacy for a second time.El PSOE aprueba una abstención incondicional para que Rajoy sea presidente es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/PSOE-abstencion-incondicional-Rajoy-presidente_0_572542996.html eldiario.es 23 October 2016Spain's Political Impasse Ends as Socialist Party Clears Way for Rajoy's Re-election https://www.wsj.com/articles/spains-socialist-party-set-to-vote-on-ending-long-running-political-impasse-1477208060 The Wall Street Journal 23 October 2016 However, party members clashed on how this decision was to materialize in terms of party discipline after some deputies declared they would not abide by the committee's decision regardless the outcome,El PSOE se abstendrá en la investidura de Rajoy tras un comité que vuelve a evidenciar la división en el partido es http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20161023/psoe-se-abstendra-investidura-rajoy-tras-comite-vuelve-evidenciar-division-partido/1430540.shtml RTVE 23 October 2016 with critics to the caretaker commission demanding for the party to allow them to vote in conscience.Los críticos del PSOE reclaman que se pueda votar 'no' sin represalias es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/24/580d60ef22601da31d8b4623.html El Mundo 24 October 2016 Javier Fernández, however, rejected this notion and confirmed the PSOE would abstain wholly with each deputy abstaining "literally".Javier Fernández confirma que la abstención para investir a Rajoy será en bloque es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2869989/0/javier-fernandez-confirma-abstencion-investir-rajoy-bloque/ 20 minutos 24 October 2016 PSOE–PSC rupture When PSOE voted to abstain in the second round of Rajoy's investiture and allow the formation of a PP minority government, most opponents of this decision agreed to respect the majority opinion within the party and maintain party discipline.Luena afirma que no romperá la disciplina de voto del PSOE, pero mantiene su 'no' a Rajoy es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-luena-afirma-no-rompera-disciplina-voto-psoe-mantiene-no-rajoy-20161018102958.html Europa Press 18 October 2016Los líderes socialistas partidarios del 'no' a Rajoy, cada vez más cerca de la abstención es http://www.lasexta.com/noticias/nacional/los-lideres-socialistas-partidarios-del-no-a-rajoy-se-acercan-a-la-abstencion_20161018580619370cf24962cbf99c5a.html laSexta 18 October 2016 However, some deputies declared that they intended to vote against Rajoy nonetheless, even in the face of threats of retaliation from the party. Among these were Aragonese Susana Sumelzo, Basque Odon Elorza, independent for Madrid Margarita Robles, Galician Rocío de Frutos, and the two Balearic Islands MPs.Los diputados rebeldes que desobedecerán al Comité y votarán 'no' a Rajoy es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2869995/0/diputados-socialistas-se-rebelan-desobedeceran-comite-votaran-no-investidura/ 20 minutos 23 October 2016Armengol, sobre si acatarán la decisión del Comité: "Los socialistas de Baleares seguiremos siendo coherentes" es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2870057/0/armengol-sobre-si-acataran-decision-comite-socialistas-baleares-seguiremos-siendo-coherentes/ 20 minutos 23 October 2016Los apóstoles del no a Rajoy: Margarita Robles, Sumelzo, Odón Elorza... y los del PSC es http://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2016-10-24/investidura-rajoy-abstencion-diputados-psoe-elorza-robles-psc-sumelzo_1279391/ El Confidencial 24 October 2016 MP for New Canaries Pedro Quevedo—with whom PSOE had agreed an electoral alliance in the Canary Islands for the 2015 and 2016 elections—also announced his intention to vote against Rajoy.Pedro Quevedo: "Nueva Canarias deja claro a Rajoy que no comparte sus políticas" es http://www.lasexta.com/programas/al-rojo-vivo/entrevistas/pedro-quevedo-nueva-canarias-deja-claro-a-rajoy-que-no-comparte-sus-politicas_20161024580df0650cf24962cc037240.html laSexta 24 October 2016 Pedro Sánchez's final stance on such a vote remained unclear, with some sources suggesting he would break the party line and others that he would not attend the investiture, in order to avoid having to abstain.Pedro Quevedo: "Nueva Canarias deja claro a Rajoy que no comparte sus políticas" es http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/pedro-sanchez-sopesa-ausentarse-segunda-votacion-investidura-5582973 El Periódico de Catalunya 23 October 2016 However, the most serious rebellion to the party's directive came from the Socialists' Party of Catalonia, with PSC leader Miquel Iceta signalling his intention to disregard the committee's decision to abstain and maintain a 'no' stance.Miquel Iceta asegura que el PSC "desobedecerá" a la abstención aunque cambie la relación con el PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/politica/Miquel-Iceta-PSC-desobedecera-PSOE_0_572892794.html eldiario.es 24 October 2016 Members from the party's governing committee stressed that the decision taken by the party's federal committee was binding for all MPs and that if PSC chose to vote otherwise, the relationship between the two parties would have to be reviewed.La gestora del PSOE amenaza con revisar su relación con el PSC si no se abstiene ante Rajoy es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2870276/0/gestora-psoe-amenaza-revisar-relacion-psc-abstencion-rajoy/ 20 minutos 24 October 2016 Some interpreted this to mean that public disobedience from the PSC could result in its expulsion from the parliamentary group as well as from PSOE's governing bodies,El PSOE amenaza con echar al PSC de sus órganos de dirección es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/20/5807d953e2704e09758b4615.html El Mundo 20 October 2016Los barones y la vieja guardia del PSOE amenazan al PSC para que se abstenga ante Rajoy es http://www.elespanol.com/espana/politica/20161024/165484070_0.html El Español 24 October 2016 and even lead to the end of the alliance between the parties, in place since 1978.Los barones del PSOE amenazan al PSC con el divorcio es http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20161024/411267209352/barones-psoe-amenazan-psc-divorcio.html La Vanguardia 24 October 2016 Eight regional party branches critical of the abstention called on Fernández to authorize only eleven MPs to abstain—the minimum number required for Rajoy's investiture vote to pass—so as to prevent further splits, but he replied that the federal committee's decision was final and that a "minimum abstention" of this kind was not up for discussion.Ocho dirigentes regionales socialistas piden no imponer la abstención en bloque es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/24/actualidad/1477330110_095051.html El País 24 October 2016 Díez Anabel Choque de barones en el PSOE por la abstención en bloque y la presión al PSC es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2870545/0/choque-barones-psoe-disciplina-voto-abstencio-psc/ 20 minutos 24 October 2016Javier Fernández rechaza debatir con los barones sobre una abstención mínima es http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/javier-fernandez-gestora-psoe-rechaza-debatir-abstencion-minima-investidura-rajoy-5585429 El Periódico de Catalunya 24 October 2016 By late 24 October, the party's interim leadership predicted that about 15 deputies would rebel and threatened them with outright expulsion from the party, into the unaffiliated grouping in Congress.El PSOE avisa de que echará al Grupo Mixto a los diputados que voten 'no' en la investidura de Rajoy es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/25/580e6bc446163fda5c8b4658.html El Mundo 25 October 2016 However, this move backfired when a further group of MPs, opposed to abstention but initially willing to follow the party line, condemned any retaliation against conscience voters and expressed their willingness to join the rebel faction in solidarity with the PSC. By 25 October, with a new investiture hearing scheduled for 26–29 October,Mariano Rajoy será investido presidente el sábado es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Mariano-Rajoy-investido-presidente-sabado_0_573243532.html eldiario.es 25 October 2016 a total of 18 deputies were said to be willing to break the party line regardless of the consequences, and a further three were considering it "because of the threats issued by the managing committee's spokespeople"; the expulsion of all these MPs would have left Unidos Podemos as the largest opposition group in Congress.Crece el número de diputados del PSOE que podrían votar 'no' a Rajoy es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/25/580f4e9ae5fdea3d2a8b45a8.html El Mundo 25 October 2016 Later that day, the PSC leadership formally agreed on their 'no' position, appealing to PSOE "to accept differences and manage discrepancies" and calling for both parties to "keep walking together" as Iceta sought to prevent the split,El PSC ratifica su 'no' a Rajoy y sus siete diputados romperán la disciplina de voto del PSOE es http://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/politica/PSC-Rajoy-diputados-disciplina-PSOE_0_573243835.html eldiario.es 25 October 2016 but PSOE replied that this decision represented a "unilateral breach" of the relationship between the parties.La gestora del PSOE advierte al PSC de que su 'no' a Rajoy supone una "ruptura unilateral" es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/PSOE-advierte-PSC-Rajoy-unilateral_0_573243860.html eldiario.es 25 October 2016La gestora del PSOE advierte que la decisión del PSC de votar 'no' a Rajoy supone "una ruptura unilateral" con el partido es http://www.antena3.com/noticias/espana/a-gestora-del-psoe-ha-anunciado-que-la-decision-supone-una-ruptura-unilateral-en-la-leal-y-exitosa-unidad-de-accion-que-el-psc_20161025580fb6770cf24962cc05bdb1.html Antena 3 25 October 2016 On 28 October, it was reported that the PSC was exploring the possibility of contesting the next Catalan regional election in alliance with Ada Colau's En Comú Podem, Podemos' "confluence" alliance in Catalonia.El PSC quiere ir a las autonómicas con el partido de Colau es http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2016/10/28/catalunya/1477670293_677589.html El País 28 October 2016 Ríos Pere El PSC propone una "alianza" electoral con Colau y Podemos es http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2016/10/28/58134267468aebe61d8b459d.html El Mundo 28 October 2016 In response, the PSOE started proceedings for the expulsion of the PSC from its governing bodies, and a review of their relationship, to be triggered after Rajoy's investiture.El PSOE perfila la salida del PSC de sus órganos de gobierno es http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/politica/psoe-perfila-salida-psc-organos-gobierno-relacion-protocolo-abstencion-investidura-rajoy-5594926 El Periódico de Catalunya 28 October 2016 Rajoy's investiture and consequences 2015–16 Spanish government formation#Third investiture attempt The second Mariano Rajoy's investiture session started on 26 October at 18:00 UTC. Antonio Hernando, PSOE's spokesperson in Congress and speaking on behalf of the party after Sánchez's dismissal, justified their impending abstention by citing the country's need for a government after months of deadlock. Hernando reiterated that his party still did not trust Rajoy, promising to provide a strong opposition to his policies regardless.Antonio Hernando justifica que el PSOE haga presidente a Rajoy: "Hoy España nos necesita" es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Antonio-Hernando-PSOE-Rajoy-Espana_0_573942675.html eldiario.es 27 October 2016 Hernando's speech did not convince neither those unwilling to abstainDiputados afines a Sánchez ven una "humillación" que Iglesias ya lidere la oposición es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-diputados-afines-sanchez-ven-humillacion-iglesias-ya-lidere-oposicion-20161027142633.html Europa Press 27 October 2016 nor Pedro Sánchez himself, who hours before the second and final round of voting announced his resignation as an MP—to avoid either abstaining and break his own electoral pledges or setting a bad precedent of a former PSOE leader breaking party discipline—while hinting at the possibility of standing in a future party leadership election.Pedro Sánchez dimite como diputado y anuncia que se lanza a recuperar el PSOE es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/29/58147a2346163fc46c8b4578.html El Mundo 29 October 2016 Finally, 15 PSOE MPs (Margarita Robles, Susana Sumelzo, Odón Elorza, Rocío de Frutos, Zaida Cantera, Meritxell Batet, Joan Ruiz, Merce Perea, Manuel Cruz, Lídia Guinart, Marc Lamuà, Pere Joan, Sofía Hernanz and Luz Martínez) chose to break the party line and vote against Rajoy in spite of the possible consequences threatened by the party's interim leadership.Rajoy, investido presidente gracias a la abstención de todos los diputados del PSOE excepto 15 es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/29/5814b9cb46163fce668b4581.html El Mundo 29 October 2016 Right after government formation, in an exclusive interview for laSexta's Salvados news show, Pedro Sánchez publicly accused his party's apparatus—led by Susana Díaz—and "financial powers", including El País media outlet, of having coerced him into avoiding a left-wing pact with Podemos and nationalist parties throughout the entire government formation process, revealing they triggered the internal revolt within PSOE to oust him once he considered a serious attempt at forming such a government and after repeatedly opposing to allow a PP government to form.Pedro Sánchez acusa a los poderes financieros y al grupo Prisa de presionar para mantener a Rajoy es http://www.eldiario.es/politica/Pedro-Sanchez-economicos-gobernara-Podemos_0_574992889.html eldiario.es 30 October 2016Pedro Sánchez carga contra el Ibex y pide que el PSOE trate a Podemos "de tú a tú" es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/10/30/58165763268e3ead1f8b46a4.html El Mundo 30 October 2016 Throughout the ensuing weeks, the party proceeded to marginalize and "punish" critics in a number of ways. As an immediate consequence, disciplinary procedures were filed against those MPs breaking vote discipline, expected to lead to fines up to €600.El PSOE expedienta a los 15 diputados que ignoraron la orden de abstención es http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2016/10/31/actualidad/1477929488_736441.html El País 31 October 2016 Díez Anabel Los 15 diputados díscolos del PSOE se enfrentan a una multa de 600 euros y un posible relevo esta semana es http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/7955078/11/16/Los-15-diputados-discolos-del-PSOE-se-enfrentan-a-una-multa-de-600-euros-y-un-posible-relevo-esta-semana.html EcoDiario.es 12 November 2016 Subsequently, a reorganization of the parliamentary group resulted in most rebels being either expelled from the party's parliamentary leadership or degraded in the different parliamentary committees.El PSOE degrada a cinco diputadas y aplaca al PSC para zanjar la crisis de los díscolos es http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2891215/0/gestora-psoe-sanciones-discolos-psc/ 20 minutos 17 November 2016 This affected even some MPs respecting the party line—deputies but also senators, who had no vote in the investiture—that, nonetheless, were critical of the managing committee's direction.El PSOE castiga a los parlamentarios más próximos a Pedro Sánchez y salva a Margarita Robles es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/11/17/582e0184268e3ee7218b4673.html El Mundo 17 November 2016 This move further aggravated internal differences, being dubbed by those affected as "a shame", "revenge" and "marginalization" for "staying loyal to Sánchez until the end".Los castigos de la Gestora vuelven a abrir la grave crisis del PSOE es http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2016/11/18/582eee05e2704ea77c8b463b.html El Mundo 18 November 2016 Meanwhile, the crisis with the PSC remained severe. Members from both parties favoured avoiding a total break up, but PSOE leaders strongly argued for "reviewing" their mutual relationship protocol, in effect since 1978.PSOE y PSC crean una comisión para revisar sus relaciones y sus diferencias políticas, con un plazo de dos meses es http://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-psoe-psc-crean-comision-revisar-relaciones-diferencias-politicas-20161114140833.html Europa Press 14 November 2016 As both parties set themselves a timetable of two months to review their alliance, the PSOE's managing committee reportedly started preparations to exclude the PSC from the incoming PSOE Federal Congress.La 'última bala' contra el PSC: la gestora del PSOE prepara un Comité Federal para apartarlo de las primarias es http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/politica/noticias/7965429/11/16/La-ultima-bala-contra-el-PSC-la-gestora-del-PSOE-prepara-un-Comite-Federal-para-apartarlo-de-las-primarias.html EcoDiario.es 17 November 2016 This could have the effect of depriving PSC's grassroots members—widely expected to oppose any candidate endorsed by the interim PSOE leadership—of their vote in a foreseeable PSOE primary election to elect a new party leader,La gestora quiere que los militantes del PSC voten al candidato a la Moncloa pero no al secretario general del PSOE es http://www.infolibre.es/noticias/politica/2016/11/15/gestora_quiere_bases_psc_voten_candidato_moncloa_pero_secretario_general_psoe_57587_1012.html infoLibre 15 November 2016 easening a possible Susana Díaz's candidacy to the post.Los partidarios de Susana Díaz quieren que su candidatura sea la única en el congreso es http://blogs.elconfidencial.com/espana/interiores/2016-11-19/partidarios-susana-diaz-candidatura-congreso_1291600/ El Confidencial 19 November 2016 References 30em Category:Spanish Socialist Workers' Party Category:2016 in Spain Category:2016 controversies