Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has filed a lawsuit in Spain's Supreme Court against Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, demanding €50,000 in compensation for what he calls an unlawful interference with his right to honour and privacy. The legal action stems from remarks Díaz made in January on her Bluesky account and during an appearance on RTVE's programme La Hora de la 1, following allegations of sexual abuse by two former employees of the singer.
According to the complaint, Díaz asserted that sexual abuse occurred at Iglesias's properties, that staff were kept in conditions akin to slavery, and that their fundamental rights were systematically violated. Iglesias's legal team argues these statements reflect clear prejudices and have damaged his reputation. The lawsuit also demands a public retraction from the deputy prime minister.
Díaz, who leads the left-wing Sumar coalition, previously rejected a conciliation attempt, maintaining that her comments did not harm Iglesias's reputation. This rejection cleared the path for Iglesias to pursue the case through civil proceedings in the Supreme Court.
Broader Legal Battle
In a parallel move, Iglesias has filed a criminal complaint in a Madrid court against several journalists from the Spanish news outlet Diario.es, which first reported the allegations in January. The complaint accuses editor Ignacio Escolar and other reporters of insult, slander, and violating his moral integrity. Iglesias's defence contends that the outlet published false and defamatory statements intended to undermine his public image.
The allegations, which emerged after a three-year investigation by Diario.es in collaboration with Univisión, involve two women who worked for Iglesias at his mansions in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Lyford Cay, Bahamas. One woman claims she was forced into sexual encounters, including being slapped and penetrated without consent. The investigation also cites additional testimonies and documents.
Shortly after the allegations became public, journalist Paloma García-Pelayo, known for her close ties to Iglesias, said the singer was worried and believed his image had absolutely collapsed. She described him as living through the situation as if he had been killed internationally because of his image.
This legal confrontation unfolds against a backdrop of broader political and social dynamics in Spain. The country has seen heightened debates around workplace rights and gender-based violence, with Díaz's Sumar party often at the forefront of progressive policies. Meanwhile, Spain's labour market faces challenges, as highlighted in a recent Eurofound report showing that Spain leads the EU in vulnerable jobs, with one in five roles at risk. The case also intersects with ongoing discussions about media accountability and the limits of free speech in public discourse.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the civil case, the outcome could set a precedent for how public figures in Spain navigate defamation claims against political leaders. The criminal complaint against Diario.es adds another layer to a story that touches on issues of power, privacy, and the protection of victims' rights.
