Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing a surge of criticism after enacting a decree that tightens his government’s control over the public broadcaster RTVE. The new law, which expands RTVE’s board from ten to fifteen seats, enhances the voting power of Sánchez’ coalition allies while diminishing that of the main opposition party, the Partido Popular (PP).
While Sánchez’s government claims the decree promotes “pluralism,” opposition figures argue it grants the administration unchecked influence over public broadcasting, effectively transforming RTVE into a “private television channel.”
This controversial move is part of a broader pattern of institutional control under Sánchez. Over recent years, his government has placed loyalists in key roles across Spain’s national bank, constitutional court, and state pollster, consolidating influence within state entities.
Sánchez also faces scrutiny for allegedly using the state prosecutor to defend his wife, Begoña Gómez, who is under investigation for possible corruption. Sánchez dismissed the allegations as politically motivated but continues to rely on RTVE as a counterweight to negative press coverage. Observers warn this trend threatens Spain’s democratic principles.
Sánchez’s push for RTVE reform is also tied to budget negotiations, as his coalition’s General State Budget hinges on securing support from separatist and leftist allies like the Catalan ERC and the Basque Bildu. According to La Gaceta, the prime minister has offered these parties influential RTVE board positions to secure their support.
Meanwhile, an investigation by El Debate has exposed the behind-the-scenes tensions within RTVE. The publication reports that Sánchez’s allies have systematically restructured the state broadcaster to align it with the government’s agenda. Sánchez’s administration stands accused of dismissing key board members and restricting information, thus turning RTVE into a tool for “propaganda and protection.”
In an editorial, ABC accused the governing Socialists of behaving “almost like an autocratic party.” It criticised Sánchez for dismantling the checks and balances envisioned in the 1978 Constitution by reducing the Senate’s role in RTVE’s governance and removing the PP’s input in key board decisions.
Overall, Sánchez’s approach to RTVE is emblematic of his broader power grab within state institutions. Critics argue this tactic enables Sánchez to advance his political agenda while sidestepping opposition checks. The controversy around RTVE highlights the high stakes of his minority government’s reliance on separatist and far-left support, which critics say Sánchez is prioritising over institutional integrity at a critical moment for Spanish democracy.
