Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez is under growing pressure from his coalition partners as a wave of corruption scandals rocks his government. Far-left ally Sumar has called for a change in direction, while Catalan separatist party Junts has requested urgent talks to reassess support for the minority coalition.
“It’s not enough to say sorry,” said Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, leader of Sumar, after Sánchez apologised for the scandal but vowed to remain in office until 2027.
The latest case centres on Santos Cerdán, the Socialist Party’s third-ranking official, whom the Supreme Court suspects of awarding public contracts in exchange for kickbacks. He joins a widening circle of figures close to Sánchez—including former transport minister José Luis Ábalos, the prime minister’s wife and brother, and the state prosecutor—under judicial investigation.
The press has added to the pressure. Centre-right daily El Mundo wrote on Friday that Sánchez’s position was “untenable”, while ABC called the situation “agonising” for the Socialist leader.
The opposition Popular Party continues to call for Sánchez to resign, but has ruled out a confidence vote. Analysts say coalition partners fear triggering new elections could lead to a conservative-led government supported by the right-wing VOX—an outcome many regional and leftist parties want to avoid.
