Oscar Lopez Launches Bold Campaign for PSOE Secretary General in Madrid
On Thursday, Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, announced his candidacy for the position of Secretary General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in Madrid, setting his sights on the upcoming 2027 elections. López underlined his commitment to developing a courageous leftist initiative intended to revive public trust in the party amidst claims that the word 'truth' has been misused.
At a press conference held at the PSOE Central Association, López delivered an impassioned speech, stating, "We are going to win with a word that is the most wonderful and that many people have been destroying for years—the truth." He emphasized that his candidacy was not just a personal endeavor but a collective motion that reaches out to party militants, unions, and citizens alike.
Dismissing suggestions that he might be viewed as an outsider or 'parachutist' brought in from Ferraz, López highlighted his long affiliation with the PSOE, having spent 28 years in the party—13 of which were in the PSOE Madrid (PSOEM). He mentioned his experience in various groups such as Canillejas, San Blas, Hortaleza, and Las Rosas, all contributing to his understanding of local politics.
Confident in a victory in 2027, López referenced the PSOE's notable results in previous elections, particularly the controversial 'Tamayazo' year of 2003 as well as the party's performance in 2015 and 2019 under prominent figures like Ángel Gabilondo. He took a jab at the current Madrid president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, asserting she attained the worst results in the history of the Madrid People’s Party (PP), receiving only 28% of the vote.
López declared, "I have a long career—almost three decades dedicated to the socialist project. I have made mistakes but I have learned from the best," referring to his experiences working alongside former Spanish Presidents José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, and Pedro Sánchez. He envisions a transformative effort for Madrid, advocating for a brave left that is willing to negotiate, listen, and work collaboratively.
Addressing skeptics ahead of the 2027 elections, he asserted, "We are going to win Madrid. Many people do not think so, but I have no doubt. The brave left is the one that wins." He also made it clear that he is prepared to confront the challenges posed by Ayuso and her communication chief, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, emphasizing the need to counter what he referred to as the 'mud machine' of their political tactics.
López's press conference was bolstered by the attendance of several socialist officials including Candelaria Testa, the mayor of Alcorcón; Mercedes González, the general secretary of PSOE Madrid Capital and Civil Guard director; Reyes Maroto, PSOE spokesperson in the City Council; and Javier Rodríguez Palacios, general secretary of PSOE in Alcalá de Henares, and national deputy. Their presence signaled strong party unity and support for López's campaign as he embarks on the journey to reclaim Madrid for the socialist agenda.
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