Spanish PM Denies Knowledge as Corruption Scandal Rocks ⁢Government

‍ Updated June 13, 2025

Spanish Prime minister Pedro ‍Sánchez stated Thursday he was unaware‍ of the corruption case that prompted Santos Cerdán, a high-ranking Socialist Party official, to resign. Sánchez also rejected calls for his own resignation.

The ⁢case intensifies legal and political pressure on Sánchez, whose ⁣close associates are facing several ⁢investigations. Cerdán is suspected of involvement in the improper awarding⁢ of public contracts, according to a judicial report.

Cerdán, ⁢a member of parliament, resigned from his ⁤positions to defend the government and party, asserting he never committed any illegal acts.

Sánchez said he ⁣learned of the accusations against Cerdán in the press and demanded his ⁢resignation. “We ‍never should have trusted him,” Sánchez said.

A ⁢judge indicated a police report ‍suggests Cerdán colluded with former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and Koldo ⁣garcía Izaguirre in exchange⁣ for financial gain. Reportedly, recordings captured conversations discussing secret commission payments for ⁣public contracts.

Cerdán is scheduled to testify voluntarily before the Supreme Court on June 25. Opposition lawmakers ⁣greeted Cerdán⁣ with chants of “resignation.”

Popular Party⁣ leader Alberto ⁣Núñez Feijóo called for Sánchez to ⁤resign, stating the ‍revelations were unacceptable in a European Union country. Sánchez dismissed ⁢calls for early elections,saying the⁣ case only affects⁤ the party,not the government.

“If anyone had doubts that there was a mafia-like network behind the ruling party and the ⁣government,⁤ I suppose those doubts have now been dispelled,” PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo told reporters.

Ábalos,a former transport minister,faces charges of corruption,influence peddling,and embezzlement. He was dismissed from Sánchez’s cabinet in 2021 and expelled‍ from ‍the Socialist Party but remains a member of parliament.

Sánchez’s wife, ⁣Begoña Gómez, and his brother, David Sánchez, are also‍ under examination for graft. The prime minister has dismissed these probes⁣ as a “smear campaign.”

Spain’s ⁢top prosecutor, Alvaro Garcia Ortiz, faces a possible trial over suspicions he leaked secret case files. Sánchez came to⁤ power in June 2018 after a⁤ no-confidence vote over corruption scandals involving the PP.

What’s next

The investigations ‍into Cerdán, Ábalos, Gómez, ‍and others are ongoing, and their outcomes could significantly impact Sánchez’s political standing and the stability of the Spanish government. The upcoming testimony from Cerdán will⁣ be closely⁢ watched.