Corruption scandals engulf Spanish PM's circle ahead of elections
Translated from Slovenian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces mounting political pressure as corruption investigations target his brother, wife, and former close associates within the Socialist Party (PSOE).
- The investigations, involving allegations of influence peddling, embezzlement, and misuse of public funds, come less than a year before the general elections.
- Sánchez maintains his family and allies are victims of politically motivated attacks, while opposition parties call for early elections, which he has rejected.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is navigating a political storm as multiple corruption investigations ensnare his inner circle, including his brother David Sánchez and wife Begoña Gómez. The probes, which also involve former associates from the Socialist Party (PSOE), cast a shadow over Sánchez's government just a year before the next general election.
David Sánchez is all charges denied, faces up to three years in prison.
David Sánchez faces charges of influence peddling and abuse of public office in Extremadura, stemming from allegations that he secured a specially created job in 2017 due to his brother's political connections. He denies all accusations. Meanwhile, Begoña Gómez is under investigation for alleged embezzlement, influence peddling, and corruption in business dealings related to her work at Madrid's Complutense University. Both she and her colleagues deny the claims.
The accusations have been denied by both her and her colleagues.
Further complicating matters, former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is being scrutinized for his alleged role in the state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigators suspect that €53 million in state aid may have been misused or used for money laundering. Zapatero has also denied any wrongdoing.
The judge believes that Zapatero led a network of political influence to obtain economic benefits.
Sánchez has publicly stated that his family and political allies are targets of politically motivated campaigns and has criticized parts of the judiciary for acting politically. The pressure intensifies with other PSOE corruption scandals, including allegations of bribery against former minister José Luis Ábalos and commissions received by Santos Cerdán. Opposition parties, the People's Party (PP) and Vox, have demanded early elections, with PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo citing the country's inability to withstand constant scandals. However, Sánchez has refused, emphasizing the need for political stability.
Pedro Sánchez insists that his wife, brother, and political allies are victims of politically motivated attacks and media campaigns.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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