This Europe: Spanish elite spoil victory for women

Spanish courts have struck a blow for women's rights by convicting for the first time a local politician for sexually harassing a young female councillor. But that victory for Nevenka Fernandez, who was subjected to a humiliating psychiatric test to prove she was not making it up, has left a bitter aftertaste that reveals the strength of the machismo that still exists in Spain.

Ismael Alvarez quit last week as Mayor of Ponferrada after being found guilty in a trial that gripped the nation. He must pay a fine and compensation to his victim for the "moral suffering that affected her personal wellbeing". The court ruled that Mr Alvarez's insistent sexual demands on Ms Fernandez "were intimidating, hostile and humiliating for her".

Mr Alvarez was unrepentant: "I'm innocent, whatever the court says; a victim of a political lynch mob."

Ms Fernandez found little satisfaction that the court believed her version of events. Then, astonishingly, the political establishment rallied round the disgraced politician, whilst shunning his victim. Particularly shocking was the wound inflicted by Ana Botella, the wife of the Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar. She commended Mr Alvarez for his "impeccable behaviour" in resigning. No wonder his victim, who received no words of support, complained that she felt utterly abandoned.

Spanish women may conclude that the best way to get on remains the age-old stratagem of attaching yourself to a powerful male protector.