Sigfrido Herráez

Sigfrido Herráez, the incumbent dean of the College of Architects of Madrid (COAM), has initiated the process for new elections in an attempt to extricate the institution from a protracted crisis. This crisis originated from the May 2025 elections, where Herráez was re-elected for a third term, a result that was immediately contested due to questions surrounding the validity of his candidacy. Despite legal challenges and rulings, the situation remained unresolved for over a year, creating a stalemate within the COAM's governing bodies. Herráez's decision to call for new elections, while seemingly a step towards resolution, has been met with opposition from his main rival, Jesús San Vicente, who argues that this move violates fundamental democratic principles governing the COAM's electoral processes.

The core of the dispute lies in the eligibility of Herráez to run for a third term. While the college statutes limit deans to two consecutive mandates, Herráez's first term was shorter than the standard three years, having been initiated following the resignation of a previous dean. This ambiguity allowed him to run, but it also became the primary catalyst for the ongoing conflict. Herráez's candidacy was initially rejected by the Electoral Board, but he secured a temporary injunction allowing him to participate and subsequently win the election. However, he was never formally installed as dean in a manner that satisfied all parties, leading to a prolonged period where his board effectively governed while facing challenges to its legitimacy.

Herráez's stated priority is to place the institution and its members, the 'colegiados,' above personal or factional interests. He emphasized the need to reinforce the voice of the membership and ensure that the college's future is determined solely by the collective will of the profession. This call for unity comes after a series of judicial decisions that have, according to Herráez's board, closed off avenues for their continued governance without new elections. The announcement aims to bypass further legal wrangling and establish a clear path forward, though the legitimacy of the current board's actions remains a point of contention for opposing factions.

Jesús San Vicente

Jesús San Vicente, the primary opponent of Sigfrido Herráez, views the announcement of new elections as a breach of democratic norms. San Vicente and his group, Nexo COAM, have been in a prolonged power struggle with Herráez's board, 'Todos COAM,' since the contentious 2025 elections. According to Nexo COAM, all judicial and collegial pronouncements have thus far favored their position, asserting that Herráez's faction attempted to illegitimately take and maintain power while preventing Nexo COAM's rightful accession. San Vicente was declared the winner of the 2025 elections by the Electoral Board in July, following a judicial ruling that seemingly returned authority over the process to the board. This declaration, however, did not result in San Vicente gaining effective control of the college's operations.

The situation escalated in June when a court ruling suggested that Herráez should have awaited the Electoral Board's response to his initial appeal before pursuing further judicial action. This ruling appeared to reinstate the Electoral Board's authority, which then proceeded to declare San Vicente the winner. Despite this declaration, Herráez's board continued to exercise de facto control, leading to the formation of what Nexo COAM describes as a 'parallel' governing board with San Vicente as dean. This parallel board's inauguration on July 20th took place in the COAM's ground-floor exhibition hall, as security personnel, acting on orders from Herráez's board, denied access to the main floor.

San Vicente's camp has dismissed the legitimacy of Herráez's board and its actions, including the call for new elections. They argue that Herráez is resorting to this measure because 'all winds are now blowing against him.' The ongoing legal battles and the formation of competing leadership structures have paralyzed the COAM, preventing it from effectively serving its members and fulfilling its institutional duties. The call for new elections, from San Vicente's perspective, is an attempt by Herráez to circumvent a definitive ruling against him and avoid relinquishing power, rather than a genuine effort to resolve the crisis democratically.

Institutional Crisis

The institutional crisis within the College of Architects of Madrid (COAM) has been ongoing for over a year, stemming from the disputed results of the May 2025 elections for dean. The controversy centers on the eligibility of Sigfrido Herráez to stand for a third term, a situation that has led to legal challenges, conflicting rulings, and the emergence of two competing leadership factions. This prolonged instability has significantly hampered the COAM's ability to function effectively and has created an environment of uncertainty for its members.

The crisis deepened with a series of judicial interventions and decisions by the Electoral Board. Initially, Herráez was allowed to run and win the election due to a preliminary court order. However, subsequent legal interpretations and actions by the Electoral Board led to the declaration of Jesús San Vicente as the winner. Despite these declarations, Herráez's board maintained control, leading to a de facto split in governance. The situation has been characterized by a lack of clear legal resolution, with courts often addressing procedural aspects rather than the fundamental question of Herráez's eligibility, thereby prolonging the dispute.

The announcement of new elections by Herráez is presented as a means to ensure an 'orderly transition with full legal guarantees,' aiming to avoid further delays caused by pending judicial decisions. This move suggests a recognition that the existing legal framework has failed to provide a definitive resolution, and a fresh electoral process is deemed necessary to legitimize a new leadership. However, San Vicente and his supporters view this as an attempt to reset the situation to Herráez's advantage, rather than a genuine commitment to democratic principles. The prolonged nature of this crisis underscores the challenges in resolving internal governance disputes within professional organizations, particularly when legal ambiguities and political rivalries intersect.