The power struggle within the PSOE of Cádiz dramatically unfolded last Friday at the Parador Atlántico, a venue that has become customary for local political intrigues. What initially seemed like a simple adjustment to the candidacy for the upcoming elections, transformed into an episode that exposed the deep fractures and constant leadership battle within Cádiz's socialist party.
The day began with the meeting of the PSOE-A list committee, tasked with ratifying the provincial candidacies for May 17. While seven provinces saw their proposals approved without objection, Cádiz's was subject to a significant modification. Paco Rodríguez, regional Organization Secretary and mayor of Dos Hermanas, announced that Fernando López Gil, a figure close to María Jesús Montero and critical of Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix's management, would move from third to first place, relegating Juan Cornejo, provincial Organization Secretary, to third place.
“"If the vast majority of local assemblies and the provincial socialist executive had placed him at the head of the candidacy, out of dignity and coherence he could not accept that modification."
This decision provoked an immediate reaction from Cornejo, who, in an act of protest, announced his resignation. He argued that his decision was not personal, but a reflection of the sentiment of the militants who had supported him as number one. Despite his support for Montero in the campaign, Cornejo considered the modification unacceptable, which generated intense debate and numerous calls among party leaders, including María Jesús Montero and Paco Rodríguez, who tried to persuade him to reverse his stance.
The tension remained for hours, with Cornejo sheltered at the socialist headquarters in San Antonio, surrounded by members of the candidacy and the provincial executive, who showed him unwavering support. The situation was finally resolved in a meeting at the Parador Atlántico, where María Jesús Montero, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Juan Cornejo, and Paco Rodríguez negotiated for over an hour. Despite Montero's insistence, Cornejo remained firm in his decision.
Given Cornejo's unyielding position and a message from López Gil expressing his willingness not to be a problem, Montero chose to backtrack. Cornejo's original position as number one was reinstated, and López Gil was placed in the third spot. Additionally, Irene García was included in fourth place, a decision that had not been previously discussed in the list committee. This outcome, though painful for López Gil, allowed for a calming of tensions and a closing of ranks ahead of the electoral campaign, once again demonstrating the complex dynamics of the PSOE of Cádiz.
