Corruption scandals push Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez towards early elections

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing mounting pressure from his Socialist Party (PSOE) to call early elections over a series of corruption scandals that are undermining public confidence. Regional and local party leaders fear that a politically weakened Sánchez is jeopardizing their chances in the upcoming municipal and regional elections, scheduled for mid-2027. Sources close to the party say early elections could be the only way to limit the damage caused by the scandals and preserve the PSOE's reputation.

The main impetus for the current crisis is last week's report by the elite UCO police unit, which uncovered evidence of bribes for public contracts to be accepted by Santos Cerdán, the PSOE's third-highest ranking official and Sánchez's close ally. Cerdán resigned from the party's leadership last week and also left the parliamentary seat on Monday. The scandal follows an ongoing investigation into José Luís Ábalos, Cerdán's predecessor, whom Sánchez personally appointed to the post. Both cases cast a shadow over the prime minister's party leadership.

Sánchez responded to the crisis with a televised speech in which he apologised to the public and promised "decisive action" to clean up the party. On Monday, he dismissed the PSOE's top leadership and appointed a transition team headed by former Environment Minister Cristina Narbo and Borja Cabezón, an expert on disinformation. He also ordered an external audit of the party's finances. However, these steps are considered by many to be insufficient. "It's like throwing a glass of water on a roaring fire," an anonymous PSOE official told POLITICO. He said the changes will not change the opinion of voters who now associate socialists with corruption.

Mayor of the western Spanish city of Mérida Antonio Rodríguez Osuna was one of the few to openly criticize the situation and called for an extraordinary party congress to discuss the party leadership. "We're not going to get what we deserve," he said in defence of the work of thousands of honest mayors, councillors and government workers.

According to the daily El País, based on statements by twenty prominent Socialists, there is a consensus in the party that Sánchez cannot continue for another two years without serious political consequences. "It's impossible to last another two years in this situation," said one of the regional leaders.

Radio station Cadena SER reported on the Socialists' fears that if Sánchez remains in power, the party could lose control of mayoral offices in cities such as León, Palencia and Soria. Voter frustration could also derail plans to retake the region of Valencia, where Popular Party (PP) President Carlos Mazón has lost support due to his poor handling of last year's devastating floods.

Sánchez, known for his political dexterity, has managed to cope with difficult situations in the past. Ten years ago, after being forced to resign from the party leadership, he campaigned door-to-door to return to office. In 2018, he successfully orchestrated the first no-confidence vote in Spain's history that toppled Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Despite losing the election two years ago, he secured the support of separatist parties to stay in power. Now, however, he faces a crisis that may be insurmountable even for him.

Political Scientist Pablo Simón of the Carlos III University of Madrid, described the crisis as "in the initial phase"which may get worse as new evidence comes in. Sánchez dominates the party at national and regional level, he says, thanks to loyal ministers, which makes it difficult to remove him. At a press conference on Monday, Sánchez admitted that he had considered resigning but decided to "staying the captain and steering the ship through the storm". Simón points out, however, that the Prime Minister has a personal interest in completing his mandate, because as head of government he can better face possible charges.

Paradoxically, the opposition, led by the Popular Party (PP), has no interest in Sánchez's quick departure. PP spokesperson Borja Sémper said that a vote of no confidence would be a "fresh air". "He chooses a slow, painful death," He added that the ongoing scandals are weakening not only the Socialists but also the parties that support the government.

According to El Español, the opposition sees the prolonged crisis as an opportunity to weaken the PSOE ahead of the elections. The EFE report also suggests that Sánchez's staying on could lead to long-term damage to the Socialists' reputation, which could affect their position for the next decade.

gnews.cz - GH