While Patxi López had been the first to announce his run and had quickly seen the anti-Díaz coalition coalesce around him , he did not obtain the express support of historical party leaders and long-time friends such as Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba — who disassociated himself from Lopez 's strategy and praised Díaz 's " political strength " — . He also stirred up suspicions among Pedro Sánchez 's remaining loyalists that his move was an opportunistic maneuver aimed at thwarting Sánchez 's potential bid and negotiating a future power sharing with Díaz , despite López 's calls that he was willing to " go to the end " in the fight for PSOE 's control . Sánchez found himself stranded from most of his previous collaborators and could no longer count with the party apparatus of the anti-Díaz regional federations to back him , facing the challenge of making up a minimal infrastructure able to grant his campaign the required resources for remaining competitive . Meanwhile , Susana Díaz embarked herself in a tour through PSOE territories hostile to her in order to mobilize her supporters , starting in Castile and León from 20 to 22 January . In León , her presence was received amid a polarized environment , with protesters booing and shouting " '' ¡ No es no ! '' " ( Spanish for " No means no " , an unofficial slogan that referred to Sánchez 's opposition to the formation of a PP government ) and accusing her of " handing over power to one of Europe 's most corrupt parties " . Díaz and López called for party unity ahead of the congress so as to avoid turning the primaries campaign into a " fraticide battle " that could further aggravate the party crisis , both aware that Sánchez 's presence in the race would deeply divide the grassroots
formation of a PP government
2015–16 Spanish government formation
2017 Spanish Socialist Workers' Party leadership election