• Former Socialist leader’s aides tell press he’s set to announce next week
• A Sánchez bid to lead PSOE would make for three-way race with López, Díaz
Former Socialist party (PSOE) general secretry Pedro Sánchez, ousted in an internal party coup in October, is said to be returning to the campaign trail next week to launch his campaign for a return to the party’s top post, despite the announcement Sunday by Basque Socialist politician and erstwhile ally Patxi López that he will also be entering the contest.
If Sanchez follows through with his anticipated campaign launch, that will bring to two the number of PSOE candidates vying for the support of the party’s activist base against what is sure to be a challenge by the party Old Guard and regional “Barons” in the candidacy of Andalucian Socialist party leader and regional president, Susana Díaz.
Díaz, who was instrumental in the drive to oust Sánchez over his refusal to have PSOE deputies abstain to place conservative Partido Popular (PP) leader Mariano Rajoy back in power for a second term, has yet to officially announce her candidacy. But, the Andalucian Socialist leader is said to have the backing of multiple regional PSOE leaders and the party establishment, including former prime ministers Felipe González and JJosé Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
► Read More in Spanish at El Mundo and 20minutos …
