Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday apologised to citizens and said that he knew ‘absolutely nothing’ about the corruption case that prompted a top official in his socialist (PSOE) party to resign, and rejected calls for his resignation over the affair.
The case adds to mounting legal and political pressure on Sánchez, one of Europe’s longest serving socialist leaders whose inner circle faces several on-going investigations.
Santos Cerdán (main image), the party’s former secretary for organisation and its third most senior member, is now under suspicion for allegedly helping to improperly award a public contract during the Covid-19 crisis, according to newly disclosed court documents. He resigned from his post soon after 4pm on Thursday, while also claiming his innocence (see statement below, via Europa Press).
Shortly afterwards, Sánchez told a news conference he knew ‘absolutely nothing’ about the corruption accusations against his longtime associate, having learned about them in the press earlier on Thursday.
‘We never should have trusted him,’ the prime minister said to reporters at the PSOE headquarters in Madrid, adding that he had personally demanded that Cerdán step down.
‘I apologise to all citizens, members and supporters of the PSOE,’ said Sánchez. ‘There is no such thing as zero corruption. But there must be zero tolerance when it occurs. I will continue working for what I have always stood for: clean politics and democratic regeneration.’
Despite speculation about a possible snap election, Sánchez dismissed the idea: ‘There will be no election until 2027.’
The PM also announced an external audit of the PSOE’s financial accounts, along with a restructuring of the party’s executive leadership, to be carried out at the next party congress.
A judge had cited a police report which ‘reveals the existence of consistent evidence’ suggesting Cerdán collaborated with former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and his ex-aide Koldo García Izaguirre, reportedly in return for financial benefit.
Cerdán has been asked to appear voluntarily before the Supreme Court on 25 June.
‘I am absolutely not afraid. I am completely certain that I will not be accused of corruption,’ Cerdán said upon arriving at parliament.
The case revolves around the government’s procurement of medical supplies in the early stages of the pandemic.
Ábalos, who led the Transport Ministry from 2018 to 2021 and was once a central figure in Sánchez’s team, stands accused of pocketing illicit commissions through public contracts.
He is being investigated for corruption, influence trafficking, and misappropriation of funds. ALSO READ: Former Spanish transport minister ‘given Marbella villa stay for helping airline bailout’.
Ábalos was removed from his cabinet role in 2021 and expelled from the PSOE earlier this year, though he retains his parliamentary seat as an independent.
His immunity was revoked in January. At a court appearance last December, he denied any wrongdoing and insisted all procedures were properly followed. ALSO READ: Former Spanish transport minister denies corruption allegations in court.
Meanwhile, separate corruption investigations are also underway involving Sánchez’s wife Begoña Gómez, and his brother David Sánchez. ALSO READ: Court to probe if Air Europa bail out by Spanish PM was conflict of interest.
The prime minister has dismissed these various inquiries as politically motivated attacks designed to destabilise his leadership. ALSO READ: Smear campaigns & ‘mafia practices’ – the alleged corruption saga against Spain’s PM rolls on.
‘Sánchez can no longer hide: he owes the country explanations, resignations, and elections,’ wrote Cuca Gamarra, deputy leader of the main opposition, the right-wing People’s Party (PP), on social media platform X on Thursday (see below).
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.
ALSO READ: Spain’s Attorney General moves closer to going on trial over alleged legal leaks.
Pido disculpas a toda la ciudadanía, a los militantes y simpatizantes del PSOE.
No existe la corrupción cero. Pero sí debe existir la tolerancia cero cuando esta se produce.
Seguiré trabajando por lo que siempre he defendido: la política limpia y la regeneración democrática. pic.twitter.com/ynZGk2ftGs
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) June 12, 2025
📄 | El comunicado de Santos Cerdán en el que dimite como secretario de Organización del PSOE y anuncia que deja su acta de diputado tras el informe de la UCO. En el documento no aparece el membrete del PSOE https://t.co/M4aqdnGiyq pic.twitter.com/LUPNzOKdIr
— Europa Press (@europapress) June 12, 2025
Un día “normal” en el sanchismo.
Su mujer, su hermano, su fiscal general, su ex número 2, su asesor y amigo de primarias y ahora también su mano derecha en Ferraz: todos señalados por presunta corrupción.
Sánchez no puede huir más: explicaciones, dimisiones y elecciones. pic.twitter.com/cDhTd9iYGB
— Cuca Gamarra (@cucagamarra) June 12, 2025
Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.
