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Sánchez marks eight years as PM amid corruption storm
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reaches his eighth anniversary in office on 1 June, but celebrations are overshadowed by a wave of corruption investigations targeting his Socialist Party and inner circle. Opposition parties are demanding his resignation, while allies show signs of wavering support.
Key figures in Socialist Party under scrutiny
The corruption allegations have ensnared several high-profile figures within the Socialist Party. Sánchez's brother, David, is currently on trial for influence peddling, accused of securing a musical post in Badajoz without a proper selection process and failing to perform his duties.
Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a close Sánchez ally, has been named in a money-laundering probe linked to a €53 million government bailout of Plus Ultra airline in 2021. Zapatero, who is set to be questioned in court on 17 June, denies any wrongdoing but has already seen his reputation tarnished. Pollster Paco Camas of Ipsos described the investigation as "symbolically very significant," given Zapatero's status as a moral reference for the party.
Police raid Socialist headquarters in Madrid
This week, police conducted a 12-hour raid on the Socialist Party's Madrid headquarters as part of an investigation into allegations of a smear campaign. The probe centers on claims that the party paid member Leire Díez to discredit police, judges, and prosecutors involved in existing corruption cases. Díez denies the allegations, and Sánchez has not been directly implicated, though the scandal has intensified calls for his resignation.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente suggested the investigations were part of an undemocratic effort to oust the government, stating, "There is a government that some want to bring down, not through the ballot box, but with other dark arts."
Family and allies under fire
Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, is also facing legal trouble. A judge has proposed she stand trial for misuse of funds and influence peddling, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9 June. Sánchez has dismissed the cases against his brother and wife as politically motivated, pointing to their origins in accusations by far-right groups.
Other prominent Socialists, including former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and party leader Santos Cerdán, have been implicated in separate kickbacks-for-contracts cases. Ábalos, who denies involvement, was expelled from the party and is awaiting a verdict in his trial. Sánchez acknowledged a lapse in judgment in trusting Cerdán, saying, "The Socialist Party and I should not have trusted him."
Opposition demands resignation, allies show cracks
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), has described the scandals as a "criminal carousel" and called for Sánchez to step down and bring forward next year's general election. However, Sánchez has vowed to complete the current legislative term, despite his minority coalition government's struggles to pass legislation, including a new budget.
The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), one of Sánchez's parliamentary allies, hinted that its patience was wearing thin, suggesting that waiting until 2027 for the next election would be "irresponsible." Political analyst Lluís Orriols noted that internal dissent within the Socialist Party could grow if the scandals continue to escalate, though no major revolt has emerged yet.
Future hinges on investigations
Sánchez's political survival may depend on the outcome of the ongoing probes. Analysts warn that further damaging revelations, particularly evidence of illegal party financing, could trigger an exodus of parliamentary allies and make his position untenable. Paco Camas suggested that the summer break might offer the government a temporary reprieve, allowing it to regroup in September.
Orriols cautioned, "This is a government which has been in a very delicate situation for some time now. Don't rule out the possibility of it running out of air soon."
