The Socialist Workers’ Party, or PSOE, has condemned the leak of private communications between President Pedro Sánchez and former minister José Luis Ábalos, labelling it as ‘very serious’. PSOE spokesperson Esther Peña claimed that such leaks represent a ‘right-wing strategy’ aimed at undermining the integrity of the party. Peña also stated that they have not devoted any meeting time to the matter and prefer not to give it further attention.

The message leaks were published by El Mundo and reportedly include WhatsApp messages exchanged between Sánchez and Ábalos from two thousand twenty to two thousand twenty-three, involving the handling of internal party criticism. Despite calling the situation a ‘serious violation of privacy’, Peña refrained from discussing it further during recent executive meetings.

The government’s viewpoint emphasises the legislative implications of the leaks, with Agriculture Minister Luis Planas declaring the revelation of these private conversations as a crime. Other officials, including Jordi Hereu, expressed their distress over the breach of privacy and highlighted that such disclosures can create vulnerability, especially when unrelated to ongoing investigations.

Amidst concerns over the impact of these leaks on the PSOE’s public image, former minister Ábalos has distanced himself from the publication, asserting that it aims to malign him personally. Party members are cautious, acknowledging the potential for reputational damage while denouncing the conduct surrounding the leaks as unworthy and detrimental to party unity.