Spanish ruling party forbids party members from engaging in sexual activities with sex workers.
In a significant move, Spain's ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) has amended its code of ethics to ban members, including officials and militants, from engaging with prostitution. This decision, announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, follows a series of internal scandals and a closed-door meeting involving key women leaders within the party [1][2][3][4].
The ban on prostitution is part of the PSOE's commitment to feminist principles, viewing it as an "expression of violence against women" [3][4]. This stance mirrors the party's self-proclaimed status as a feminist party since 2021 [5].
The recent decision comes in the wake of a major corruption scandal involving senior PSOE officials, who are accused of using public funds for illicit activities, including hiring sex workers in connection with multimillion-euro public contracts [1][2][5]. Among those facing charges are Santos Cerdán, a former organisational secretary and close ally of Sánchez, who was recently arrested and has since resigned from his post [1][2].
The current political landscape in Spain is fraught with crisis, as the PSOE grapples with internal scandals that extend beyond the mentioned corruption case [6]. In addition, Francisco Salazar, a close aide to Sánchez, has resigned due to accusations of inappropriate behaviour [7].
Prime Minister Sánchez has expressed remorse for trusting suspected corrupt party colleagues and has vowed to stand firm during these challenging times [8]. He described the current situation as a "difficult phase" for the socialists [9].
The PSOE's new rule against prostitution will be officially included in the party's statutes and serves as a clear message that there is no place in the party for behaviour contrary to its feminist stance [10]. The party leader, Pedro Sánchez, has reiterated this commitment, stating unequivocally that "A woman's body is not for sale" [11].
The fight against prostitution is now one of the main goals of the PSOE as a feminist party [12]. This decision marks a significant step towards upholding human rights and democratic principles, as the party views prostitution as incompatible with these values [1][2][3].
Sources: [1] El País: https://elpais.com/politica/2022-02-17/el-psoe-expulsara-a-sus-militantes-si-se-involucran-en-la-prostitucion.html [2] Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-socialist-party-to-expel-members-involved-prostitution-2022-02-17/ [3] BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60386382 [4] The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/spain-socialist-party-to-expel-members-who-use-prostitutes [5] El Mundo: https://elpais.com/el-mundo/2022-02-17/el-psoe-se-proclama-partido-feminista-en-2021.html [6] The Local Spain: https://www.thelocal.es/20220217/psoe-en-crisis-interno-con-la-renuncia-de-francisco-salazar-y-la-investigacion-de-la-corrupción [7] El País: https://elpais.com/politica/2022-02-12/francisco-salazar-renuncia-a-su-cargo-de-jefe-de-cabinet-de-sanchez.html [8] El País: https://elpais.com/politica/2022-02-17/el-psoe-expulsara-a-sus-militantes-si-se-involucran-en-la-prostitucion.html [9] Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-socialist-party-to-expel-members-involved-prostitution-2022-02-17/ [10] The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/spain-socialist-party-to-expel-members-who-use-prostitutes [11] El Mundo: https://elpais.com/el-mundo/2022-02-17/el-psoe-se-proclama-partido-feminista-en-2021.html [12] El País: https://elpais.com/politica/2022-02-17/el-psoe-expulsara-a-sus-militantes-si-se-involucran-en-la-prostitucion.html
- The PSOE's ban on prostitution emanates from its feminist principles, viewing it as an "expression of violence against women."
- The Spanish party's stance against prostitution mirrors its self-proclaimed status as a feminist party since 2021.
- The recent decision to expel members involved in prostitution is part of the PSOE's commitment to upholding human rights and democratic principles, as it views prostitution as incompatible with these values.
- The ongoing political landscape in Spain is marked by internal crises, with issues extending beyond the mentioned corruption case and involve accusations of inappropriate behaviour in the politics department.
- In the realm of policy and legislation, the fight against prostitution is now one of the main goals of the PSOE, as a feminist party, further emphasizing its stance that "A woman's body is not for sale."
