Monedero requests leave from his position as a professor at the Complutense University following a student's complaint of alleged sexual harassment

The co-founder of Podemos and professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid, Juan Carlos Monedero , has asked for sick leave from the campus and has stopped giving all his classes after allegations of sexual harassment against him came to light; among them, that of a student at this university center.

Sources at the Complutense University have explained that Monedero, who is being investigated by the Inspection Service , will not teach the Contemporary Political Theory subject in the double degree in Law and Political Sciences nor the Theory and Practice of Democracies subject in the degree in International Relations until a "new notice" is given. They clarify that it is a sick leave that he has requested himself and not a suspension as a precautionary measure in light of the facts attributed to him.

The Faculty is now working to ensure that these subjects are taught by a substitute starting next week and that academic activity in these groups can take place "as normal in the coming weeks." "The groups of these subjects will be duly informed of this situation, and the person in charge of the replacement will be assigned shortly," the campus adds.

The university has opened a confidential information file to clarify the circumstances of the actions referred to by the student. This file has not yet been concluded, so the University cannot take any action against him at this time.

Last month, the student filed a complaint with the Complutense Equality Unit , which, after studying it for several days, has transferred it to the Services Inspection, which has not yet ruled on whether to sanction Monedero or report it to the Public Prosecutor's Office. The confidential information file is confidential and its resolution is the legal competence and responsibility of the rector's office.

Meanwhile, members of the Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology - Dean's Office, students, faculty, staff and feminist groups - have called for "commitment" and "unity" to "create a safe academic environment, free of sexist violence and that guarantees equal opportunities." The Student Delegation has formally conveyed its "concern" to the Dean's Office, which, in turn, has communicated it to the Rector's Office.