Albiol Accuses TVE of Political Bias

Xavier García Albiol, the lead candidate for the PP in Barcelona for the 29 November general elections, has accused Televisión Española (TVE) of acting under the influence of the Socialist Party (PSOE). The mayor of Badalona described as "outrageous" TVE's decision to postpone a scheduled debate between candidates for the Barcelona constituency, originally set for Monday 2nd November. Albiol made the remarks in a social media video published on Sunday 1st November, stating that the public broadcaster is taking decisions based on PSOE electoral interests. He rejected any future participation in a rescheduled debate, saying: "I am not going to play the game of Televisión Española or the Socialist Party by agreeing to participate in a debate in the future when they deem the climate to be more favourable to them."

Dispute Over Timing and Mourning Period

TVE justified the postponement by citing national mourning following the train accident in Urda (Toledo) on Wednesday 28th October, which has resulted in 69 deaths. However, Albiol pointed out that the official three-day mourning period ended at 23:59 on 1st November. He dismissed claims of an ongoing "psychological mourning" raised by a Socialist representative, calling it an unjustifiable reason for delaying the debate.

If TVE has become the communication department of the PSC-PSOE, I am not going to legitimise unjustifiable decisions.

Albiol stressed that the delay benefits the PSOE, suggesting the party is avoiding debate during a period of heightened public concern. He declared he would not legitimise what he views as politically motivated decisions.

Other Candidates and Alternative Debates

The debate would have included major candidates vying for seats in the Congress of Deputies for Barcelona, including Jordi Hereu (PSC), Ada Colau (Comuns–Frente Amplio), Gabriel Rufián (ERC), Míriam Nogueras (Junts), and Juan José Aizcorbe (Vox). Albiol, Hereu, and Colau are all making their debut as lead candidates in a general election for Barcelona. Meanwhile, laSexta has also postponed its planned electoral debate from 2nd November to Tuesday 10th November, citing respect for the victims of the Urda tragedy. At that event, Pablo Bustinduy (Frente Amplio) and José María Figaredo (Vox) have already confirmed attendance. The PP and PSOE had not yet confirmed participation before the rescheduling. The PP has expressed a preference for debates organised by Atresmedia rather than RTVE, reflecting ongoing tensions over impartiality in public broadcasting during election periods.

Sources: El Mundo, THE OBJECTIVE @TheObjective_es, okdiario.com, moncloa.com.