Lorraine Williamson
A fresh wave of academic dishonesty is engulfing Spanish politics, as the obsession with university titles — known as titulitis — fuels a storm of resignations, accusations, and public outrage.
The latest scandals have reignited debate over transparency in public life and cast a harsh light on the cultural prestige attached to academic credentials in Spain.
Spain’s political class has long been enthralled by the perceived legitimacy that academic degrees bestow. But recent revelations reveal just how far some are willing to go to maintain appearances. Even if it means inventing qualifications. The fallout has not only embarrassed individual politicians but triggered a fierce partisan war over who lied worse.
The case that opened the floodgates
On 31 July, José María Ángel Batalla, a senior PSOE figure in the Valencia region, abruptly resigned after it emerged that the degree he claimed to hold simply didn’t exist at the time. He had listed a qualification in Archival and Library Science from the University of Valencia, dated 1983. The problem? The course wasn’t introduced until 1990.
Though Ángel denies forging documents and insists his position didn’t require a degree, pressure mounted as Valencia’s Anti-Fraud Agency and the public prosecutor launched investigations. Citing exhaustion and stress, he stepped down, calling the scrutiny a “political witch hunt”.
His departure is particularly contentious given his role in managing the emergency response to the catastrophic 2024 floods in Valencia — a crisis that claimed over 200 lives. For many residents still reeling from that disaster, his exit adds insult to injury.
Embellishment or deceit? The line blurs
Pilar Bernabé, another prominent PSOE politician, also came under fire after discrepancies surfaced in her listed qualifications. She was previously described as having degrees in Spanish Philology and Audiovisual Communication. It later emerged that while she had studied both, she never actually graduated. Though no formal charges have been filed, the episode sparked a backlash over honesty in public office.
On the other side of the aisle, Noelia Núñez of the conservative Partido Popular admitted she had not completed the degrees in Political Science and Communication she once claimed. Her resignation was swift. But her rapid transition to a role as a political pundit on national television raised eyebrows. This fuelled cynicism about whether political accountability really matters — or whether media visibility is now the endgame.
The ‘CV war’ escalates
Far from isolated slip-ups, these cases have snowballed into a broader conflict. The Partido Popular and the PSOE have begun trading accusations in what the Spanish press has dubbed a guerra de currículums. After Núñez’s departure, it emerged that PP’s regional leader in the Canary Islands, Manuel Domínguez, had also falsely claimed an Economics degree for years.
Not to be outdone, the PP retaliated by highlighting similar fabrications among PSOE ranks. These include Transport Minister Óscar Puente, accused of misrepresenting a non-accredited course as a master’s degree, and other high-profile figures like Patxi López and Alfonso Gil, who quietly updated their CVs after scrutiny.
Even Francina Armengol, the current speaker of Spain’s Congress, is accused of years of falsely presenting herself as a Pharmacy graduate.
Titulitis: A national obsession
The heart of the issue lies in titulitis — the deep-rooted cultural fixation with academic titles as a symbol of prestige. In Spain, degrees are not just educational markers but social badges. For politicians they can signal authority, legitimacy, and electability. But critics argue this obsession undermines practical experience and fosters a climate where appearances matter more than truth.
This month, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz called for a radical rethink. “Why shouldn’t a minister come from a bricklaying background?” she asked. Podemos leader Ione Belarra went further, suggesting that connections — not merit — often determine who gets degrees in Spain, hinting at systemic favouritism.
Fallout in the flood zone
The scandals are particularly damaging in Valencia, where public trust was already fragile following last year’s devastating floods. Carlos Mazón, the PP regional president, is under growing pressure not just for his own handling of the crisis, but for his failure to distance himself from Ángel Batalla. Residents in the region are still waiting for rebuilding efforts and now face a political leadership consumed by scandal.
An eroded faith in politics
For voters, these cascading revelations only reinforce a familiar narrative — that those in power play by a different set of rules. At a time when many Spaniards are grappling with economic uncertainty, housing issues, and climate-related disasters, the sight of politicians inflating their credentials for personal gain is not just infuriating — it’s corrosive.
As investigations continue, the question looms: will this be a turning point for transparency in Spanish politics, or merely the latest chapter in a long history of public disillusionment?
Cracks in the foundation
The degree scandals might seem superficial on the surface, but they strike at a deeper rot — a system where status, rather than substance, defines leadership. Whether this marks the beginning of a cultural shift or just more political theatre remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the Spanish public is watching, and patience is wearing thin.
Sources: El País, 20Minutos, El Periodico