The CIS sees the PSOE as unbeatable despite the corruption and sexual harassment cases

The corruption and sexual harassment cases plaguing the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) are not affecting them. The Socialists would win the elections if they were held right now and would only lose one percentage point compared to a month ago, according to the latest barometer from the Center for Sociological Research (CIS). The PP (People's Party) and Vox are not benefiting from the PSOE's loss of support, as their upward trend is stagnating. Thus, the Socialists have fallen one point compared to the poll from a month ago and would obtain 31.4% of the vote. The PP, which had grown three points in the previous barometer, would achieve the same level of support as a month ago with 22.4% of the vote. Vox, on the other hand, is losing ground and dropping one point compared to the November poll with 17.6% support. Suar would rise seven-tenths of a point and obtain 7.8% of the vote, while Podemos would remain at 4.1%, more or less the same as in the last poll. Regarding the Catalan parties, Junts loses three-tenths of a point, dropping to 0.8%, while Esquerra maintains the same support as in November with 2.1%. Interestingly, Aliança Catalana, which does not plan to run in the Spanish elections, appears for the first time with a 0.5% vote share.

The poll, conducted between December 1st and 5th, is the first carried out since the imprisonment of former minister José Luis Ábalos and the first allegations of sexual harassment within the party following the outbreak of the Salazar case. The barometer shows that the PSOE's lead over the PP has been reduced by nine points, but it does not foresee a protest vote against Pedro Sánchez's party, which undeniably maintains its first-place position in the vote share estimate. Be that as it may, the rest of the opinion polls published so far in the media point in the opposite direction, with a victory for the right, led by the PP, and a decline for the PSOE. This has led to the director of the CIS, José Félix Tezanos, being repeatedly questioned by opposition parties, but also by analysts.

Pedro Sánchez remains the highest-rated political leader with an average score of 4.08, followed by Yolanda Díaz with 4.01, Alberto Núñez Feijóo with 3.39, and Santiago Abascal with 2.90. As in recent polls, none of the four leaders of the four main national parties receive a passing grade. The Spanish president's score is one-tenth of a point lower than in the last survey. Yolanda Díaz, the leader of Sumar, however, rises by one-tenth of a point, while Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Abascal each fall by one-tenth of a point. These results are therefore almost identical to those of a month ago.

Rufián surges with two more points of support

Pedro Sánchez is the favorite to become Spanish Prime Minister for 36.8% of those surveyed, with a twenty-point lead over Feijóo, who is favored by 16.8% and ahead of the Vox leader, who is preferred by 15.1%. It's worth noting that in the previous poll, Abascal (18.2%) surpassed Feijóo (14.8%) in the preferences of those surveyed to take the reins at La Moncloa (the Prime Minister's official residence). The ERC spokesperson, Gabriel Rufián, continues to climb, rising from 5.9% to 8.2%. He is followed by Yolanda Díaz, with 6.6%, a four-tenths of a point increase. Behind them is Isabel Díaz Ayuso, with 4.1%, a slight decrease.

The CIS Opinion Barometer for this December also reflects increased concern about corruption and greater criticism of politicians' behavior, although Spain's main problem remains, once again, housing. Mentions of corruption rose four points compared to the previous month, reaching 16.2%, the second highest figure this year. References to politicians' misconduct also increased, rising from 12.9% in November to 13.8%. However, this concern about political corruption has not translated into a loss of support for the PSOE, despite all the scandals surrounding the progressive party. Housing continues to be the top concern for citizens, remaining in first place for the thirteenth consecutive month, at 39.9%, just one-tenth of a point lower than the previous month.