Manuel Bautista, mayor of Móstoles, challenges the admission of a sexual harassment complaint filed by a former colleague. His defence argues procedural errors in the complaint.
Manuel Bautista, mayor of Móstoles, has filed a reform appeal against the judicial decision that admitted a complaint for alleged sexual harassment filed by a former councillor of the Popular Party. The complaint includes serious accusations such as workplace harassment, injuries, and coercion. Bautista claims that the complaint did not meet the necessary procedural requirements for its admission and requests its dismissal.
The appeal, which consists of 74 pages, argues that the complaint was filed on 16 February 2026, but the special power to file a complaint was submitted later, which, according to his defence, invalidates the initial process. "The criminal action was exercised without having the required procedural authorisation at that time," the document states.
Furthermore, the mayor argues that the described events do not fit the mentioned crimes. In particular, regarding the alleged sexual harassment, his defence asserts that specific behaviours are not described that would allow the actions to be classified within the corresponding criminal type. As for the accusations of workplace harassment and attacks on moral integrity, Bautista considers them mere political disagreements arising within the municipal group and not criminal matters.
The appearance of the complainant is scheduled for next Monday at the Court of Violence against Women in Móstoles, where she will have to confirm her complaint. This judicial procedure has generated great anticipation in the locality and could have significant repercussions for both Bautista and the local Popular Party.
As this legal case progresses, it is important to remember that similar situations have occurred in other localities where politicians have faced serious accusations without clear precedents on how to proceed judicially. For example, a notable case occurred in 2020 when a mayor was acquitted after a long judicial process due to lack of concrete evidence.
It is now up to the court to decide whether to keep the investigation open or to address the requests made by the mayor's defence. Citizens will be attentive to how this matter unfolds and what implications it will have for the political future of the mayor.
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