The Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in Linares, Spain, has announced its support for a partial pardon for former mayor Juan Fernández. Fernández, who served as mayor from 1999 to 2018, was sentenced to three years in prison for misappropriating public funds, specifically for receiving over 125,000 euros in extra salary payments from the municipal socialist group's accounts. The local PSOE leadership, which did not initiate the claims against him, is calling on the 'popular sentiment' to justify this support and help prevent his imprisonment.

The decision to support Fernandez's plea for a pardon comes as the assembly of the local PSOE plans to vote on the matter on the 26th of this month. A notable aspect of the situation is that the provincial court of Jaén had previously suspended Fernández's imprisonment, giving him until August 30 to serve his sentence. The PSOE's current leadership is seen as trying to distance itself from the past actions of former party members who denounced Fernández, suggesting a shift in political strategy that appeals to local sentiments in an effort to rectify or soften the party's stance on the issue.

This development raises questions about the PSOE's integrity and its approach to corruption within its ranks. The support for a convicted official could be seen as an attempt to salvage political connections and maintain popularity among constituents who may sympathize with Fernández. As the local assembly prepares to vote, the implications of this support might affect both local party dynamics and public perception of the PSOE in Linares and beyond, potentially influencing future policies regarding party members accused of corruption.