The succession of Javier Lambán at the head of the PSOE Aragon It is still in the air, but the drums of war are already sounding. The possibility that the minister spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, faces the ‘lambanista’ sector in primaries has been revived in the Federal Congress of the PSOE that is being held this weekend in Seville. Alegría’s entourage does not rule out this possibility, which would not require a remodeling of the Executive, since she could continue as Minister of Education and also head the Government Spokesperson’s Office, which, in addition, would give more voice and “visibility” to his eventual candidacy. Another destination that was being handled for the minister was the Organization Secretariat of the PSOE, although after the accusations of Victor de Aldama about Santos Cerdán, Moncloa advocates shielding him as number 3, so the vacancy is no longer free.
Lambán, who has not attended the Federal Congress, is not going to run again in the Aragonese PSOE primaries, whose conclave is held on March 15 and 16. But the leadership battle is on. The current leader of the Aragonese PSOE is clear that he does not want his succession to be at the mercy of Ferraz and Pedro Sanchez. For this, two names are ringing in the pools. The one who most starting point is Juan Antonio Sánchez Querocurrent president of the Provincial Council of Zaragoza, the only socialist bastion that remains in Aragon after the last elections. And, precisely, Zaragoza is where Mayte Pérez, the other name that is being talked about to succeed Javier Lambán, has little support. In any case, the drums of the Aragonese primaries are beating louder and louder.
Lambán made it clear in his last statements. “The party needs a person committed to the territory, who has proven to go out of his way and give his all for the three provinces, in addition to being well versed in the truth, having principles and not being an advantageous passerby of politics,” he said. standing up to a possibility that is approaching little by little.
From Alegría’s entourage they pick up the gauntlet. They are prepared for a primary. But before that they would have to sound out the party and the support in the face of a ‘Lambanista’ sector that seems strong and will fight whether or not the minister takes the lead. What they do assure from Moncloa is that They have already made a decision about italthough they still do not want to make it public. Support must be canvassed and there is still time until January to do so. Of course, the Federal Congress of the PSOE is a good place to start doing it.
One of the big doubts of this conclave was whether there would be changes in the Organization Secretariat and the General Vice-Secretary of the PSOE. But it does not seem that there will be any after the statements of the alleged organizer of the Koldo case, Víctor de Aldama, who points to the target of both organic positions. Aldama accused Cerdán of receiving a bribe of 15,000 euros in a bar near the socialist headquarters of Ferraz – which the socialist number 3 denies -, which Moncloa recognizes has generated a “media noise” that does not suit themso moving him at this time could be interpreted as his party turning its back on him after these accusations. Therefore, everything indicates that Ferraz’s third will continue on the podium.
Also the number two, María Jesús Montero, seems to be staying, although in her case Aldama’s accusation looked more at his Chief of Staff, Carlos Moreno, for an alleged bribe of 25,000 euros, something that Montero has denied ad nauseam and He has put his “hand on the fire” for both himself and his teammate Cerdán. In any case, everything will be confirmed this weekend.
In the case of the party Spokesperson, the bells have been ringing for weeks. More so after the current spokesperson, Esther Peña, has not gone to the press conference after the Socialist Executive in Ferraz for several Mondays. Instead, The one who is hogging the spotlight is Enma Lópezcurrent councilor of the PSOE in the Madrid City Council. Furthermore, his appointment as a member of the Committee that has organized this Federal Congress does not go unnoticed. Beyond those mentioned, there are no significant changes in the party’s Executive, although some surprises are not ruled out in the parliamentary group in the Congress now led by Patxi López.