Scandal after scandal lands Spain’s Sánchez on the ropes

Key Points:

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's coalition remains intact but faces increasing pressure as multiple corruption scandals involving the Socialist Party come to light, with elections officially due by August next year but possibly called earlier.
• Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is at the center of a major case, accused of leading a criminal network that secured a €53 million COVID-era bailout for Plus Ultra airline, with allegations of receiving €2.6 million; Zapatero denies wrongdoing but is a close ally of Sánchez.
• Additional scandals involve senior Socialist figures such as Santos Cerdán and José Luis Ábalos, linked to public contract kickbacks and other controversies, further damaging the party's reputation and raising questions about Sánchez's leadership.
• Investigations have also targeted Sánchez’s family members, including his wife and brother, with Sánchez dismissing some probes as politically motivated, while coalition partners express growing unease that may threaten government stability.
• Recent regional election losses and poor polling for the Socialist Party, combined with mounting legal challenges, have intensified calls for Sánchez to resign or call early elections, though he insists on completing his term unless forced otherwise.