Pedro Sánchez Wins the Showdown With the Barons

Pedro Sánchez wrote a new chapter of his manual of resistance yesterday by far exceeding the electoral expectations of PSOE and preventing the right-wing government. The comeback perpetuates him at the head of the party and keeps sanchismo alive to the dismay of his detractors within the socialist ranks.

Pedro Sánchez proposed a personalist campaign with the party apparatus against him. The socialist barons left him alone in the face of danger after his decision to meddle with the lists. The PSOE's secretary-general was clear that a resounding defeat would mean his political end.

A few days ago PSOE was a torn, anemic party with no hope of taking off. But as days went by Ferraz clung to the signs indicating a comeback. The socialists have not only improved the results of 2019 but also have the possibility of governing.

The key factor has been Pedro Sánchez, whom the barons had challenged and were already seeking a replacement for. The socialist leader has managed to show his friendliest face and attract the useful vote by spurring fear of Vox. His victory closes the doors to a sector of the party that dreamed of slamming the door on sanchismo and opening a new political cycle.

Internal Rebellion Against Sánchez

In recent months figures like Juan Lobato (Madrid), Javier Lambán (Aragón), Emiliano García-Page (Castilla-La Mancha), Luis Tudanca (Castilla y León) and Ximo Puig (Comunidad Valenciana) have led a silent revolt against Sánchez.

These socialist barons with significant weight in the party reproached the secretary-general for the drift of a PSOE dragged by Podemos and in the hands of Junqueras and Otegi. After the debacle of 28-M Sánchez called elections to avoid the saber-rattling within the party. His decision to intervene in the lists was the straw that broke the camel's back for the territorial leaders' patience.

Until yesterday they thought PSOE would crash and a process of succession would open to return the party to centrality. They dreamed of new leadership that would return power to the federations and break the alliance with Podemos and the independents.

Not in vain did Feijóo say he would call the socialist barons to convince Sánchez to facilitate his investiture if he won.

There Will Be No Succession in PSOE

Pedro Sánchez began to write his legend in 2014 when against all odds he won the primaries against Eduardo Madina. In 2017 he was removed by the party leadership after his decision not to facilitate Mariano Rajoy's government. Willing to challenge the PSOE apparatus Sánchez ran in the primaries against Susana Díaz and won them.

Since then he became the secretary-general of the bases and began the path of radicalization. This is how he went from wanting to forge a government with Ciudadanos to embracing the alliance with Podemos.

During these years he has faced the establishment of his party and influential circles of economic power. This is how he managed to bring down Rajoy's government and this is how he has frustrated the first right-wing coalition government. Once again the barons' operation has not been able to counter Sánchez's legend.