The Madrid branch of the People's Party (PP) has reaffirmed its backing for Móstoles Mayor Manuel Bautista, despite his recent indictment on charges of alleged sexual and workplace harassment. Senior party officials, including regional secretary Alfonso Serrano and spokesperson Carlos Díaz-Pache, have publicly expressed their continued support for Bautista, who is scheduled to appear in court on October 9th.
Alfonso Serrano, the regional secretary for the Madrid PP, emphatically reiterated his support for Bautista, responding with a resounding "of course" multiple times when questioned by reporters at a New Economy Forum event at the Four Seasons hotel. Serrano, who is second in command to regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, swiftly departed the venue, sidestepping inquiries about whether the mayor should resign. Instead, he deflected, posing questions about potential resignations within the central government, including the Prime Minister, his brother, and his wife.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, who also attended the forum, declined to comment upon her departure. Carlos Díaz-Pache, the PP spokesperson in the Madrid Assembly, concisely stated "absolutely" when asked about the party's continued support for the mayor.
Mayor Bautista is slated to appear as an investigated party before the Móstoles Court of Instance's Gender Violence Court Number 2 on October 9th. Additionally, five witnesses requested by the private prosecution are scheduled to testify on October 23rd and November 6th.
In contrast, Francisco Martín, the central government delegate in Madrid, has renewed calls for Mayor Bautista's resignation, citing issues of "responsibility, exemplary conduct, and decency." Speaking to the press, Martín asserted that the mayor should have resigned months ago when the allegations first surfaced. He extended this criticism to President Ayuso and other PP leaders, accusing them of protecting Bautista for months while "cruelly pointing fingers at the victim."
Serrano previously defended Mayor Bautista's innocence at a press conference in February at the national PP headquarters. During this event, he characterized the alleged victim's recording of private conversations as an act of "bad faith." The Móstoles mayor's case directly implicates Serrano, as he reportedly advised the alleged victim against pursuing legal action, suggesting it would ultimately harm her. The woman initially utilized the internal channels of the Madrid PP to report the situation, which she claims began during the 2023 municipal election campaign and continued until her departure from the City Council and the party in October 2024.
According to documents reviewed by EL PAÍS, the former councilwoman held two meetings with regional PP leadership. The first meeting included Ana Millán, Deputy Secretary of Organization, and Alfonso Serrano. The second involved Millán and Lucía Paniagua, another Madrid PP leader. In both instances, she reportedly faced pressure not to pursue legal action.
The former councilwoman's account details that the Mayor of Móstoles made unwanted explicit overtures. Following her firm rejection of anything beyond a professional relationship, she claims to have experienced a period of isolation, marginalization, and humiliating treatment that lasted for months, culminating in the removal of her assigned duties.