Spain’s Pedro Sánchez Faces Corruption Probes Against Allies and Family Amid Calls for Resignation

Pedro Sánchez's tenure as Prime Minister of Spain, now eight years, is overshadowed by a series of corruption investigations implicating his family and close political allies. The ongoing probes have intensified calls from opposition parties for his resignation and an early general election.

High-Profile Figures Under Scrutiny

Mr Sánchez's brother, David Sánchez, is currently on trial for alleged influence peddling. Separately, former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a key ally, has been named in an investigation into alleged money laundering concerning a 2021 government bailout of Plus Ultra airline. Mr Zapatero is scheduled for questioning on 17 June and maintains his innocence, receiving Mr Sánchez's “full support”.

The Socialist Party's Madrid headquarters recently underwent a 12-hour police raid as part of a probe into allegations of a campaign to discredit police, judges, and prosecutors investigating existing corruption cases. Former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and Socialist Party official Santos Cerdán were previously implicated in a network accused of receiving kickbacks from face mask sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, involving some €50 million. Both deny wrongdoing.

Adding to the pressure, a judge is investigating Mr Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged misuse of funds and influence peddling, with a preliminary hearing set for 9 June.

Political Ramifications and Resilience

The accumulation of these cases has prompted Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), to label the situation a “criminal carousel” and call for Mr Sánchez to step down. However, Mr Sánchez has consistently defended his family, attributing the accusations against his brother and wife to far-right organisations. He has pledged to see out the full legislative term, despite his minority coalition government's struggles to pass a new budget.

Paco Camas, head of public opinion for Ipsos in Spain, notes the symbolic significance of a former Prime Minister being investigated, highlighting Mr Zapatero’s previous role as a “moral reference for the party”. Despite the severe challenges, political analysts suggest that while parliamentary support may wane, a successful no-confidence vote remains unlikely, primarily due to regional parties' apprehension about a potential PP government, possibly in coalition with the far-right Vox. The government’s ability to