Spanish Prime Minister claims ignorance about the corruption case in question
Pedro Sanchez, Spain's long-standing socialist prime minister, finds himself under intense legal and political heat, as the ongoing scandals within his inner circle continue to mount.
The latest drama unfolded with Santos Cerdan, the party's organization secretary and Sanchez's right-hand man, being implicated in a judicial report for suspected involvement in improper public contract awards. Despite stepping down from all his positions to "defend" the government, Cerdan maintains his innocence, claiming he never committed any illegal acts.
Sanchez himself has claimed ignorance about the corruption allegations against his associate, having found out about them through media reports. He asserted that Cerdan's position had become untenable after excerpts of incriminating conversations were published, reportedly capturing discussions about secret commission payments in exchange for public contracts.
In a police report, there's evidence suggesting Cerdan acted in collusion with former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos and Abalos's former adviser, Koldo Garcia Izaguirre, for financial gain. Cerdan has been invited to testify voluntarily before the Supreme Court on June 25.
Lawmakers from the main opposition Popular Party (PP) have welcomed Cerdan's downfall, with their leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, calling Sanchez's explanations "insufficient" and "disappointing". Feijoo urged the Socialist Party's coalition partners to force Sanchez into resignation, and questioned their complicity if they chose not to act.
Sanchez, however, dismissed the probes against his inner circle as part of a "smear campaign" conducted by the right wing to destabilize his government. Tensions have escalated following a protest last weekend, organized by the PP against Sanchez's administration.
Interestingly, Abalos, who served as transport minister from 2018 to 2021 and was once a key figure in Sanchez's administration, faces charges of corruption, influence peddling, and embezzlement. He was dismissed from Sanchez's cabinet in 2021 and expelled from the Socialist Party earlier this year.
With polls showing the PP gaining a slim lead over the Socialists, Sanchez's grip on power is becoming increasingly tenuous. It remains to be seen how these corruption scandals will shape Spain's political landscape in the coming months.
The business dealings of Sanchez's inner circle, including his right-hand man, Santos Cerdan, have entered the realm of general news due to allegations of improper public contracts and secret commission payments. The ongoing political heat Sanchez faces could potentially impact the future of Spanish politics, with polls showing a close race between his party and the main opposition, the Popular Party (PP).
