Brussels has made it clear that it has no intention of directly intervening in the investigation of the serious corruption cases shaking Spain’s governing Socialist Party. European Commissioner for Justice, Michael McGrath, stated on Tuesday, July 1st, that the responsibility for investigating schemes such as the so-called “Koldo case”—which directly implicates the former number three of the PSOE, Santos Cerdán (sent to prison without bail)—lies exclusively with national authorities.
In an interview with the European Newsroom (ENR), McGrath avoided commenting on any specific allegations regarding the scandals in Spain, insisting that “the primary responsibility for investigating corruption cases lies with the country concerned.” According to the Commissioner, the Commission will limit itself to assessing “the robustness of anti-corruption regimes” in its upcoming Rule of Law report, to be published next week.
This stance stands in stark contrast to the treatment received by governments such as Hungary’s or, in the past, Poland’s, which were subject to harsh sanctions, legal proceedings, and threats of suspension of EU funds by EU institutions, all under the argument of defending the rule of law. The difference is glaring: when the government in question is conservative, Brussels brings to bear all its institutional might; when the scandal involves a social-democratic government, it simply looks the other way and appeals to national sovereignty.
McGrath argued that what truly matters is that “each EU country has the appropriate structures to address corruption and shows not only the capacity, but also the will to do so.” But in Spain’s case, there are serious doubts about any real political will to thoroughly investigate, especially when those involved are so close to the core of power within the government of prime minister Pedro Sánchez—a loyal ally of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
It is striking that while structural reforms are demanded and funds are blocked for countries like Hungary due to legal measures or internal political decisions—such as the recent controversy surrounding the Budapest Pride march—the European Union avoids any direct confrontation with a left-wing government entangled in a series of scandals directly affecting the management of public contracts during the pandemic.
McGrath acknowledged that in Hungary’s case, the Commission is working within the limits of the current treaties and admitted that withdrawing Hungary’s voting rights in the Council remains a distant possibility, due to the need for unanimous support among Member States. Nevertheless, he did announce that Brussels will propose, in the next multiannual budget (2028–2034), a revision of the mechanism linking respect for the rule of law to the disbursement of EU funds, with the aim of responding more swiftly to “violations” in this area.
