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Spain’s ruling Socialist Party, the PSOE, is facing an unprecedented wave of corruption investigations, court cases, and political scandals involving figures close to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, including his wife, his brother, former ministers, senior party officials, and even former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
What began as isolated investigations has evolved into a sprawling network of overlapping legal cases involving allegations of influence peddling, public contract corruption, misuse of public funds, bribery, political favoritism, and irregular appointments.
Several of the cases are advancing simultaneously through Spanish courts, making the situation increasingly difficult for voters — and international readers — to follow.
This guide explains the major scandals currently surrounding the PSOE government, who is involved, what investigators are alleging, and why the cases have become one of the biggest political crises of Pedro Sánchez’s time in power.
Why the PSOE Corruption Cases Matter
The political impact is especially significant because Pedro Sánchez originally rose to power in 2018 after leading a no-confidence motion against the conservative Popular Party government over corruption scandals.
Now, years later, Sánchez’s own administration faces mounting legal and ethical controversies.
Although the prime minister himself has not been formally accused of criminal wrongdoing, the investigations increasingly surround:
- his family
- senior PSOE officials
- former ministers
- close political allies
- figures linked to his inner circle
The cases have become central to Spain’s political debate ahead of future elections.
The David Sánchez Trial: Why Pedro Sánchez’s Brother Is in Court
One of the most politically explosive cases involves David Sánchez, the prime minister’s brother.
David Sánchez is currently on trial in Badajoz over allegations that a public position within the Provincial Council of Badajoz was allegedly created specifically for him in 2017.
Private prosecutors accuse him of:
- influence peddling
- administrative misconduct
- benefiting from an allegedly irregular hiring process
Investigators claim the senior cultural position he obtained was effectively tailored for him because of his family relationship with Pedro Sánchez.
The case began after a complaint from the pressure group Manos Limpias, which alleges the recruitment process was designed to legitimize a prearranged appointment.
David Sánchez denies wrongdoing.
Importantly, earlier accusations related to tax fraud and residency in Portugal were dismissed after Spanish authorities found no evidence of criminal conduct.
The trial has become symbolically important because it places the brother of Spain’s prime minister directly in the dock during an intense period of political polarization.
Read our full coverage of the case below.
The Begoña Gómez Investigation: Pedro Sánchez’s Wife Faces Corruption Allegations
Another major scandal involves Begoña Gómez, the wife of Pedro Sánchez.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has advanced an investigation examining whether Gómez improperly used her status as the prime minister’s wife to advance professional and institutional interests connected to her work at Madrid’s Complutense University.
The allegations include:
- influence peddling
- embezzlement
- corruption in business dealings
- alleged misuse of public resources
Investigators are examining Gómez’s role in university programs, fundraising relationships with major corporations, and meetings allegedly held using government facilities.
The case has become one of Spain’s most politically divisive judicial battles.
Opposition parties, however, claim the case raises serious questions about political privilege and the use of institutional influence for personal advancement.
Gómez denies wrongdoing.
The case is expected to move closer to trial in the coming months.
For a deeper look at the investigation, see our detailed report below.
The Koldo Case and the COVID Contracts Scandal
The largest corruption investigation currently affecting the PSOE is widely known in Spain as the Koldo case or Ábalos case.
The scandal centers on alleged irregularities involving emergency public contracts for masks and medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigators are examining whether politically connected intermediaries profited from inflated contracts awarded during the health emergency.
The central figures include:
- former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos
- former adviser Koldo García
- businessman Víctor de Aldama
According to investigators, the alleged scheme may have involved:
- inflated pricing
- irregular procurement procedures
- kickbacks
- influence networks tied to public contracts
Spanish authorities are analyzing financial transactions, communications, and procurement records linked to millions of euros in pandemic-era spending.
The case has become politically devastating because Ábalos was once one of Pedro Sánchez’s closest political allies and a key figure inside the PSOE leadership.
Ábalos and García deny wrongdoing.
Aldama, however, has reportedly acknowledged involvement in parts of the alleged scheme and is cooperating with investigators.
More details, timeline updates and key developments can be found in our full article below.
Santos Cerdán and the Expanding PSOE Investigation
The corruption crisis deepened further after allegations emerged involving Santos Cerdán, one of Pedro Sánchez’s most trusted political allies and formerly the PSOE’s organizational secretary.
Spain’s Supreme Court identified what it described as “strong evidence” suggesting possible involvement in kickback schemes linked to public contracts.
Cerdán denies wrongdoing.
However, the scandal forced his resignation and intensified pressure on Sánchez’s leadership.
The investigation has also expanded into allegations involving attempts to influence or interfere with judicial proceedings connected to PSOE-related corruption cases.
Police searches at PSOE headquarters in Madrid significantly escalated the political fallout.
Explore the complete breakdown of the case in our dedicated coverage below
The Zapatero Plus Ultra Investigation
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has also been placed under criminal investigation in a separate but politically explosive case linked to the airline Plus Ultra.
The controversy centers on a 53 million euro government bailout granted to the airline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigators are examining whether influence networks improperly helped secure the rescue package.
Judge José Luis Calama alleges that Zapatero may have overseen a structure designed to influence public decisions in favor of private interests.
The investigation includes allegations involving:
- influence peddling
- money laundering
- offshore financial structures
- consulting payments
- potential falsification of documents
Zapatero strongly denies wrongdoing and insists all his activities complied fully with the law.
The case is especially sensitive because Zapatero remains one of the most important symbolic figures within the Spanish left.
See our in-depth report for the latest information and background on the case.
Spain’s Attorney General and the Leak Scandal
The PSOE government also suffered a major institutional blow after Spain’s attorney general, Álvaro García Ortiz, was barred from office following a conviction related to leaking confidential information.
The case involved a tax investigation connected to the boyfriend of Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, one of the PSOE government’s strongest political opponents.
Although García Ortiz denied responsibility for the leak, the scandal further damaged the government politically because Sánchez’s administration had supported his appointment.
Pedro Sánchez’s Response to the Scandals
Pedro Sánchez has consistently defended his family and political allies.
The prime minister argues many of the investigations are politically motivated campaigns designed to destabilize his government.
Following the opening of the investigation into his wife in 2024, Sánchez temporarily suspended his public agenda and publicly considered resigning before deciding to remain in office.
He has repeatedly insisted:
Sánchez has also openly criticized parts of Spain’s judiciary, suggesting some judges have become politically involved.
Those remarks, however, generated additional controversy and accusations that the government was attempting to undermine judicial independence.
Why These Cases Are Politically Dangerous for the PSOE
The danger for the PSOE is not necessarily that every investigation will end in convictions.
The bigger political problem is the accumulation of scandals involving:
- the prime minister’s family
- senior party officials
- former ministers
- close associates
- institutional controversies
Together, the investigations have created a constant cycle of:
- court appearances
- police operations
- testimony
- leaks
- judicial rulings
- political confrontation
Opposition parties including the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox party are using the scandals to accuse the government of corruption, favoritism, and institutional abuse.
Meanwhile, PSOE supporters argue the cases reflect judicial overreach and politically motivated attacks against the left.
A Defining Political Crisis for Spain
The growing number of legal cases surrounding figures linked to Pedro Sánchez has created one of the most serious political crises in modern Spanish politics.
The investigations touch nearly every level of Spain’s political system:
- government ministries
- public procurement
- regional institutions
- universities
- party leadership
- even the prime minister’s own family
Some of the allegations may ultimately collapse in court.
Others could lead to major criminal trials or convictions.
But regardless of the final legal outcomes, the corruption investigations surrounding the PSOE are already reshaping Spain’s political landscape and will likely remain central to national debate well into the next election cycle.
FAQ: PSOE Corruption Cases and Pedro Sánchez Scandals
Why is Pedro Sánchez under political pressure?
Pedro Sánchez faces growing pressure because multiple corruption investigations involve his wife, his brother, former ministers, senior PSOE officials, and close political allies.
Is Pedro Sánchez personally under investigation?
No. As of now, Pedro Sánchez himself has not been formally accused of criminal wrongdoing.
Why is David Sánchez on trial?
David Sánchez is accused of benefiting from an allegedly irregular public job appointment in Badajoz because of his relationship with the prime minister.
What is the Begoña Gómez case about?
The investigation examines whether Begoña Gómez improperly used her position as the prime minister’s wife to advance professional and institutional interests.
What is the Koldo case?
The Koldo case is a major corruption investigation linked to COVID-era public contracts for masks and medical equipment.
Who are José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García?
Ábalos is a former Spanish transport minister, while Koldo García was one of his advisers. Both are linked to the COVID contracts investigation.
Why is Zapatero under investigation?
Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is being investigated over alleged influence peddling connected to the Plus Ultra airline bailout.
Has anyone been convicted yet?
Some investigations are still ongoing, while others are entering trial phases. Not all cases have resulted in formal convictions.
Why are these scandals important politically?
The scandals are politically damaging because Pedro Sánchez originally came to power promising stronger ethics and anti-corruption measures after previous scandals involving conservative governments.
Photo Attribution:
Photo: Pedro Sánchez after winning the PSOE primaries, singing “La Internacional” (21 May 2017). By Marta Jara / eldiario.es. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 Spain.
Photo: Pedro Sánchez at the NATO Summit (June 29, 2022)
Source: La Moncloa (Government of Spain)
Author: Pool Moncloa / Fernando Calvo Rollán
License: Government of Spain – free use with attribution https://w.wiki/KZVv
Photo credit: Official White House photo by Andrea Hanks, showing Presidents Donald J. Trump and Pedro Sánchez at the United Nations General Assembly, 25 September 2018. Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons: https://w.wiki/J9zG
