Offering fake images in an AI campaign is a legitimate appeal for the PP

The Central Electoral Board has opened a formal file against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez following a complaint filed by the People's Party. The decision was announced on Thursday after the board determined that a video recorded by Sanchez at the National Museum Centre of Art Reina Sofia could have violated specific electoral laws. Specifically, the board cited Article 50.2 of the Electoral Law, which prohibits public authorities from organizing or financing acts containing references to government achievements during the election period. It also referenced restrictions on obtaining free media resources from public administrations outside of official campaign periods. Consequently, the board ordered Sanchez to remove the disputed video from all social media profiles where it had been distributed. He was also instructed to refrain from any actions during the electoral period that might involve exploiting public means available to him due to his office. The board further reminded both Sanchez and the museum of their duty to maintain institutional neutrality and prohibited the use of public facilities for activities with electoral content. The incident centers on a video published on October 24, 2026, on Sanchez’s personal account on the social network X. Although the clip has since been removed, it showed the prime minister walking through various empty galleries of the museum. In front of Pablo Picasso’s painting Guernica, Sanchez delivered a summary of his government’s international policy decisions, contrasting them with those made by other leaders. The People’s Party argued that using the facilities of a national museum to produce a video with electoral content constituted an improper use of public resources. They claimed this violated the principles of institutional neutrality and equality among competing political parties. The opposition party also highlighted a pattern of similar behavior by the prime minister, noting that another disciplinary file had recently been opened against him. They requested explanations from the museum and the Ministry of Culture regarding the circumstances of the recording. A subsequent written submission pointed out that the use of museum spaces for audiovisual productions is subject to a specific authorization regime and potentially requires payment of corresponding fees. Sanchez’s legal team rejected the allegations. They stated that his remarks in the museum were made on the occasion of United Nations Day. According to his representatives, the speech was a reflection on Spain’s position in international politics, the defense of multilateralism, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and respect for human rights. They emphasized that the content did not include electoral messages, requests for votes, or disqualifications of other political parties. The defense argued that the statements were not part of a campaign to extol governmental achievements. Instead, they described them as a presentation of general political principles attributed to Spain and its society. These positions, they said, fall under the government’s constitutional role in directing foreign policy. Furthermore, the legal team asserted that the use of the Reina Sofia museum complied with its operational rules without incurring extraordinary expenses. Article 50.2 of the electoral law explicitly bans any act organized or financed directly or indirectly by public powers from the call for elections until their celebration. Such acts are forbidden if they contain allusions to achievements obtained or use images or expressions similar to those used in the campaigns of participating political entities. The central electoral board’s ruling underscores the strict boundaries placed on public figures during pre-election periods. The board’s order serves as a directive to ensure that state resources are not leveraged for partisan advantage. The removal of the video from digital platforms is now mandatory under this administrative sanction. Separate from this specific dispute over the museum video, tensions between the governing Socialist Workers’ Party and the opposition People’s Party have escalated regarding the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigning. The People’s Party released a video generated using AI technology depicting Sanchez holding a pistol in a dark room. In the clip, he hesitates before lowering the weapon and opening his arms. Facing him is Jose Luis Abalos, portrayed as a zombie-like figure who lunges at Sanchez. The scene then shifts to a wheat field where the two embrace. This production follows a previous AI-generated video by the regional branch of the People’s Party in Madrid. That earlier clip featured Begoña Gomez, Abalos, and other socialists, including Leire Diez. In that video, Diez is shown saying, "If hiring thugs to eliminate a judge is being left-wing, then yes, I am left-wing." Leire Diez has filed a criminal complaint against the People’s Party at the National Court. She alleges crimes of defamation with publicity, violation of moral integrity, and digital identity impersonation. Legal experts suggest that such complaints often face hurdles due to protections for freedom of expression and satire. However, critics argue there is a distinction between verbal accusations and presenting false images that appear realistic. The debate highlights emerging legal challenges posed by deepfake technologies in democratic processes. While some view these tactics as legitimate political satire, others contend they cross ethical and legal lines by implying criminal guilt without judicial verdicts. The situation reflects a broader trend in Spanish politics where technological advancements are increasingly integrated into partisan warfare, raising questions about the authenticity of visual evidence presented to voters. The central electoral board’s focus remains on ensuring compliance with existing regulations regarding the use of public assets and institutional neutrality during the current electoral cycle.