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A Spanish court has handed down a significant prison sentence to former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, a key figure in Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's rise to power. Ábalos was sentenced to 24 years for corruption charges linked to the procurement of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The prime minister is politically responsible for the corruption of his ministers in office.

The Supreme Court found Ábalos, along with his former aide Koldo García and businessman Víctor de Aldama, guilty of criminal organization, bribery, embezzlement, and influence peddling. García received a 19-year sentence, while Aldama, who acted as an intermediary between politicians and companies, was given 4.5 years but will not serve time due to his cooperation with the investigation.

This judicial decision represents a major blow to Sánchez's socialist government, adding to a series of legal challenges involving his inner circle. His brother is currently on trial for influence peddling, his wife Begoña Gómez faces potential trial and has had her passport suspended for similar charges, and another close collaborator, Santos Cerdán, is also under investigation for corruption.

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It is indecent that he remains in the presidency for one more minute.

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative People's Party immediately called for Sánchez's resignation and the dissolution of parliament. "The prime minister is politically responsible for the corruption of his ministers in office," Feijóo stated, adding, "It is indecent that he remains in the presidency for one more minute."

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The court's ruling detailed how the three defendants formed a criminal organization that engaged in corrupt practices, including the awarding of contracts for 13 million masks to a company linked to Aldama.

The court's ruling detailed how the three defendants formed a criminal organization that engaged in corrupt practices, including the awarding of contracts for 13 million masks to a company linked to Aldama. The court also noted the significant damage such corruption inflicts on public trust in the political system and the democratic structure of the state.

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The court also noted the significant damage such corruption inflicts on public trust in the political system and the democratic structure of the state.