The publication of a complaint for alleged sexual violence against Adolfo Suarez, former Prime Minister and central figure of the Transition, has opened a new political front in Congress. The leader of Podemos, Ione Belarra, has demanded the Executive and the Cortes to withdraw all the institutional recognitions granted to the first president of the Spanish democracy, as she considers it incompatible to maintain public tributes in view of the seriousness of the known accusations.
The complaint, filed with the Family and Women’s Attention Unit of the National Police, refers to events that allegedly occurred in the 1980s and has generated an intense debate on how institutions should act when allegedly criminal conduct attributed to historical figures of the State is reported.
Podemos increases the political pressure on the Government and the Parliament
From the Lower House, Belarra demanded a clear response from the Government and the Parliament. Among the measures proposed by her party is the removal of the name of Adolfo Suarez from public infrastructures, such as the Madrid airport, as well as the elimination of busts, portraits and other commemorative elements present in official buildings.
The leader of Podemos defended that political action must go beyond the judicial wait when it comes to public symbols and honors: according to her, the State cannot continue projecting an image of institutional recognition towards people on whom such serious accusations weigh, even if they correspond to events of the past.
Criticism of bipartisanship and “protection of power”
Belarra’s position included harsh criticism of the PP, PSOE and Vox, which she accused of having historically contributed to preserving the impunity of certain political figures. According to the leader, the construction of the narrative of the Transition elevated certain leaders to an untouchable status, making any questioning of their personal conduct difficult for decades.
In this context, he stated that he does not expect a clear condemnation from the major parties, which he reproached for having maintained a political culture based on silence and the protection of those who held institutional power.
Feminism proposes to debate historical symbols
Belarra framed the controversy within a broader debate on democratic memory and feminism. In her opinion, legislative advances in the field of equality have allowed more women to feel supported in denouncing, even when the accused has a prominent place in the country’s political history.
Podemos insists that this case forces to critically review the symbols of the State and to rethink what values are rewarded from the institutions. “It is time to take down from the pedestal those who were not up to the task”, defended the leader, claiming a policy that prioritizes the protection of victims over the preservation of historical myths.
