Politics

What The Fav (formally, WHATHEFAV S.L.) is a communications and marketing firm managed by Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Business and social media outlets have portrayed it as an agency whose revenues and earnings have steadily risen in recent years, mirroring the trajectory of companies and individuals associated with scandals linked to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.The catalyst: the “Plus Ultra case” coupled with an indirect business connectionIn December 2025, the name Whathefav entered the public conversation after appearing in reports about the investigation into Plus Ultra. Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office…

The crisis of harassment allegations impacting Spain’s PSOE saw a new addition this week: Francisco Luis Fernández Rodríguez, who had been the Socialist mayor of Belalcázar (Córdoba), stepped down and asked to withdraw his party membership following the publication by various media of messages reportedly sent by him to a municipal subordinate.What is under investigation and what has been releasedIn a report by RTVE / EFE, the situation is described as one of two complaints handled through the party’s internal reporting channel (the other pertains to a PSPV-PSOE member in Valencia). Concerning Belalcázar, RTVE indicates that the mayor stepped down…

The role of Susana Sumelzo, who is presently the Secretary of State for Ibero-America and a Socialist leader historically aligned with Pedro Sánchez, has swiftly transitioned from institutional discretion to being at the center of media attention. Numerous press articles have highlighted public contracts granted to firms associated with her family and her ties to companies under scrutiny in the so-called “Koldo case” and the alleged network involving Santos Cerdán, which has reignited the discussion on potential conflicts of interest within the Prime Minister’s inner circle.Who is Susana Sumelzo and what part does she play in “sanchismo”?Susana Sumelzo Jordán (Zaragoza,…

The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is experiencing one of its most sensitive internal crises concerning the handling of the so-called “Salazar case.” This scandal involves allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power linked to former Moncloa adviser Paco Salazar and his associate, Antonio Hernández. Both individuals, until recently, were integral members of the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's inner circle, who is presently encircled by multiple corruption cases.Who is Paco Salazar and what accusations is he facingFrancisco José “Paco” Salazar, a long-standing PSOE member from Seville, was mayor of Montellano and later a member of the Spanish Congress, as…

Seven days before the general elections, Honduras is experiencing a phase of increased political tension. The LIBRE Party, the ruling political entity, is confronted with allegations of alleged attempts at electoral fraud, which has sparked concern among the opposition, political analysts, and both national and international monitoring organizations.Various sectors have highlighted anomalies in the pre-election landscape, such as coercion on key institutions, the partisan utilization of state assets, and discourse that might prime the populace to dispute the outcomes should they not align with the governing party. Despite LIBRE dismissing these allegations, the degree of skepticism persists at an elevated…

Preliminary outcomes from the general elections in Honduras reveal a significant loss for the ruling party, led by Rixi Moncada and the LIBRE Party, highlighting voters' rejection of proposals considered radical and a remarkable change in the electorate's political preferences.The ruling party bloc focused its campaign on the so-called “democratization of the economy” and a discourse of “refounding” the country, with proposals that included structural reforms, tax increases on higher-income sectors, and expansion of the state's role in strategic sectors. However, the response of the electorate reflected mistrust and alarm, particularly in a sensitive economic scenario, where stability and job…

The preliminary results of the general elections in Honduras sent a clear message: the population overwhelmingly rejected proposals associated with political models perceived as radical. The ruling party candidate, Rixi Moncada, trailed significantly behind her main contenders, an outcome interpreted by experts as a call from citizens to maintain institutional stability and avoid changes that could affect democratic governance.Vote oriented toward moderation and institutional balanceDuring the campaign, political actors, civil society organizations, and analysts voiced concerns regarding initiatives advanced by the ruling party. These initiatives centered on a “refounding of the state,” increased economic intervention, and allusions to 21st-century socialism.…

The political scene in Honduras experienced a notable increase in tension on Monday, following opposition leader Salvador Nasralla's public assertion that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could be trying to influence the general elections scheduled for November 30.During a press conference, Nasralla mentioned the existence of “worrying movements and signs” that, according to him, would indicate possible foreign intervention in the electoral process. Although he did not present concrete evidence, he called for maximum vigilance both nationally and internationally. "The Honduran people will not allow external forces to influence their democracy. We are seeing patterns reminiscent of manipulation practices in other…

Initial outcomes from the Honduran general elections indicate a notable decline for political groups associated with the Sao Paulo Forum in the area. The LIBRE Party, recognized by opposition groups as part of this ideological coalition, was unable to maintain voter backing, with its presidential candidate falling significantly behind the leading competitors. Experts view this result as a setback for socialist-leaning initiatives or extensive state reform agendas.Electorate's Message and Citizen ConcernsThroughout the election campaign, diverse political and economic stakeholders expressed apprehensions about certain proposals from the ruling party, especially those related to the restructuring of the state, enhanced governmental oversight,…