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Sánchez Backs Gallardo in Mérida After Video Exposes PSOE Extremadura Rift

The visit signals national backing for a candidate under judicial scrutiny facing internal dissent.

Overview

  • Pedro Sánchez travels to Mérida to publicly endorse Miguel Ángel Gallardo, opening the PSOE pre-campaign for the December 21 Extremadura election.
  • Gallardo was confirmed last week by the regional committee as the party’s candidate for the snap vote called by PP leader María Guardiola.
  • He remains pending trial on allegations of prevarication and influence peddling over the 2017 hiring of his brother at the Badajoz provincial council.
  • An exclusive El Mundo video from the committee meeting shows Cáceres leader Miguel Ángel Morales urging Gallardo to step aside and denouncing pressure from Madrid.
  • Gallardo won the overall PSOE primaries but was rejected twice by militants in Cáceres, a vulnerability observers report Guardiola considered in advancing the election.