On Wednesday 27 May, agents from the Guardia Civil’s elite UCO unit entered the Spanish Socialist Party PSOE’s national headquarters in Madrid. This was not a “routine visit”. It is the latest in a long series of scandalous cases that have struck Pedro Sánchez and his innermost circle.
The operation was ordered by Judge Santiago Pedraz in the Audiencia Nacional as part of the investigation into the party’s illegal financing, irregular money flows, and attempts to override the judiciary.
– The fact that the police enter the headquarters reveals how deeply rooted the problems are
At the centre of the case stands Leire Díez, PSOE’s “fontanera” — the party’s “plumber” — a Spanish designation for individuals who, behind the scenes, handle the dirty work. Díez is under investigation for having received irregular payments, among other things via the state holding company SEPI, and for having conducted a well-organised campaign to discredit and weaken anti-corruption investigators, judges, prosecutors, and journalists who have been critical of PSOE and the government.
Among the central figures in Sánchez’ innermost circle who are under investigation or have been formally charged by Pedraz, we find, among others:
- Santos Cerdán – one of Sánchez’ closest confidants.
- Gaspar Zarrías – a historical heavyweight within the Andalusian PSOE.
- Ana María Fuentes – the current party leader in PSOE is charged with document forgery and suspected of complicity in nine other criminal offences, among them insider trading and organised crime.
– Cannot be dismissed as an “isolated episode”
During the raid, the UCO seized documents, emails, and a great deal of other material from the Socialist Party’s national headquarters, as well as residences and offices linked to PSOE and those involved.
The raid does not come in isolation and cannot be dismissed as an “isolated episode”. PSOE and the Sánchez government have for several years struggled with a series of serious allegations, among them the Koldo/Ábalos case concerning massive commissions for face-mask contracts during the pandemic. Pedro Sánchez’ wife Begoña Gómez is under investigation for corruption. Former Prime Minister Zapatero has also been drawn into the matter. Several ministers and party leaders have been forced to resign or are under scrutiny for contracts, bribery, and attempts to influence judicial proceedings.
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PSOE is accused of suffering from systemic weaknesses: the party has remained in power for a long time, it administers state resources, it uses public companies and party funds to reward loyal actors and to neutralise opponents. The fact that the police take the step of entering the party’s headquarters reveals how deeply entrenched the problems are.
– Any criticism is “far-right” and/or “conspiratorial”
Sánchez was in Rome during the raid following a meeting with the Pope. He downplayed the operation as concerning a request for documents, not a genuine “criminal raid”. He emphasised “full cooperation” and claimed that the party is spotlessly clean and “has nothing to hide”. He rejected demands for a new election on the grounds that Spain requires “political and economic stability”.
Sánchez’ response — a prime minister joking while the police search the party’s headquarters — has been criticised as arrogant and detached.
Pedro Sánchez’ power is built upon a mixture of control over the media, alliances with separatists and left-wing populists — and a rhetoric in which any criticism is portrayed as “far-right” and/or “conspiratorial” — all while the corruption scandals have piled up around him and the party.
The opposition (PP and Vox) are demanding a new election. Several commentators believe Sánchez’ government hangs by a thread and that the wave of corruption may become what topples it.
Voldsomme angrep på Pedro Sánchez: – En eksistensiell trussel mot Europa, han bør arresteres
PSOE has traditionally presented itself as morally superior, as the party safeguarding the moral aspect of Spanish politics. Today’s raid suggests that the picture may be somewhat more complicated.