Politics

What The Fav (formally, WHATHEFAV S.L.) is a communications and marketing company run by Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. In the business and society press, it has been described as an agency that has grown in revenue and profits in recent years—just as all the companies and individuals linked to the scandals attributed to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero have.The flashpoint: the “Plus Ultra case” and an indirect business relationshipIn December 2025, the name Whathefav surfaced in public discussion after featuring in reports tied to the Plus Ultra investigation, as Spain’s…

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 coverage by RTVE / EFE, the case is framed as one of two complaints processed through the party’s internal reporting channel (the other involves a PSPV-PSOE figure in Valencia). Regarding Belalcázar, RTVE reports that the mayor resigned “after being singled…

Susana Sumelzo, currently serving as the Secretary of State for Ibero-America and a Socialist leader historically aligned with Pedro Sánchez, has seen her role shift rapidly from institutional discretion to becoming a focal point of media attention. Various press articles have spotlighted public contracts awarded to companies linked to her family and her connections to firms under investigation in the so-called “Koldo case” and the alleged network involving Santos Cerdán, which has reignited the debate on potential conflicts of interest within the Prime Minister’s inner circle.Who is Susana Sumelzo and what role does she play in “sanchismo”?Susana Sumelzo Jordán (Zaragoza,…

The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is going through one of its most delicate internal crises over the management of the so-called “Salazar case”, the scandal of alleged sexual harassment and abuse of power that implicates former Moncloa adviser Paco Salazar and his right-hand man, Antonio Hernández, both of whom, until just a few days ago, were part of the closest circle of trust of the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who is currently surrounded by numerous corruption cases.Who is Paco Salazar and what is he accused ofFrancisco José “Paco” Salazar, a long-standing PSOE member from Seville, was mayor of Montellano…

The political scene in Honduras experienced a notable increase in tension on Monday, following the public denunciation by opposition leader Salvador Nasralla, who said 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…

Seven days before the general elections, Honduras is experiencing a period of high political tension. The LIBRE Party, currently in power, is at the center of allegations of alleged attempts at electoral fraud, causing concern among the opposition, political analysts, and both national and international observer 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 level.One…

The political scene in Honduras experienced a notable increase in tension on Monday, following the public denunciation by opposition leader Salvador Nasralla, who said 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…

Preliminary results from the Honduran general elections reveal a significant setback for political forces aligned with the Sao Paulo Forum in the region. The LIBRE Party, identified by opposition factions as a component of this ideological bloc, failed to retain public support, with its presidential candidate trailing considerably behind the primary contenders. Analysts interpret this outcome as a reversal for socialist-oriented projects or ambitious state restructuring plans.Electorate's Message and Citizen ConcernsDuring the election campaign, various political and economic actors voiced concerns regarding specific proposals from the ruling party, particularly those pertaining to the refounding of the state, increased governmental control,…

The recent electoral loss experienced by the LIBRE Party marks a crucial juncture in the nation's political landscape, positioning former president Manuel “Mel” Zelaya at the center of a debate about the direction of his leadership. Political analysts and figures concur that this result represents a significant blow to the prominent individual who has held steady influence over the organization since his return to public life in 2011.For more than ten years, Zelaya crafted strategies, molded candidacies, and strengthened his power within the internal structure of LIBRE, establishing himself as the party's leading figure. However, recent election results suggest a…

The initiative introduced by the ruling party's candidate, Rixi Moncada, which seeks to dismantle the Credit Bureau, has encountered significant resistance from multiple segments of society, leading to a noticeable drop in her voter backing. This measure, promoted throughout the LIBRE campaign, was designed to facilitate instant credit availability, supported by the claim that the institution “oppresses the most vulnerable sectors.”Insights from Specialists and the Financial IndustryMoncada's proposal encountered reservations from economists and financial system stakeholders. Consultants and analysts cautioned that its implementation would be impractical, potentially escalating financial uncertainty and undermining mechanisms for evaluating borrowers' creditworthiness.According to one of…