Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has ruled out early elections despite a corruption scandal engulfing one of his closest allies, insisting his party remains “clean” and in control.
Sánchez spoke to the press on Monday, July 16, after a top-level meeting of his Socialist Party (PSOE), as he tried to contain the damage from the scandal involving Santos Cerdán. According to Spain’s Civil Guard, Cerdán is suspected of running a corrupt network with ties to government institutions.
In what appeared to be a damage control operation, Sánchez announced he would appear “at his request” before Parliament and vowed to launch a congressional inquiry into the so-called “Koldo case.” However, he categorically ruled out the possibility of calling early elections, a move aimed at shielding the legislature from the internal fallout.
Beyond the announced measures, Sánchez adopted a defensive rhetoric, claiming the PSOE “may suffer betrayals” but is ultimately a “clean organization.” Rather than taking full political responsibility, he diverted attention. He threw the gauntlet at the opposition, challenging the PP and Vox to file a no-confidence motion if they believed the government had lost its parliamentary majority.
This challenge seems less a gesture of democratic courage than a tactical maneuver: Sánchez knows such a motion would fail due to a lack of support. He might even strengthen his position by rallying his coalition partners to avoid a collapse of the executive. Determined not to show weakness, the prime minister said he would not relinquish political control.
