Toni González, mayor of Almussafes, has resigned from his party positions in PSPV-PSOE and requested a suspension of membership following an internal complaint of sexual and workplace harassment. He retains his role as councilor despite demands from party leadership. The incident fits into a series of similar allegations within the PSOE.
Toni González, mayor of Almussafes (Valencia, with 9,000 inhabitants), announced on Saturday his resignation from party positions in PSPV-PSOE, including his role as provincial vice-secretary and member of the regional executive. The move follows a complaint filed by a Socialist Party member, who works for a municipal company, through the party's Anti-Harassment channel and Compliance Department. The allegations involve sexual and workplace harassment.
In a statement posted on social media, González describes the decision as 'painful' and says it will allow him to defend his 'honorability' against what he calls a 'false complaint.' He vows to continue leading the town hall from the Mixed Group, 'heading the local government and implementing the project overwhelmingly supported by residents at the polls.'
The PSPV leadership, headed by Minister Diana Morant, has demanded that González also surrender his councilor badge and resign from all institutional roles. Morant stressed the PSOE's 'zero tolerance' for any form of sexist violence, coordinating with the national leadership to establish a caretaker committee in the Almussafes municipal branch. If he does not comply, the party will suspend his membership and remove him from organic positions.
González maintains his innocence, claiming the complaint is part of a 'smear campaign' started by the accuser after her request for a salary increase was denied. This case adds to recent PSOE resignations over similar accusations, including those of Francisco Salazar, José Tomé, and Javier Izquierdo, highlighting a pattern of scandals within the party.
