Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday accused certain members of the judiciary of stepping into politics, while facing intensifying scrutiny over corruption allegations involving his close associates, as well as his wife and brother.
‘That there are judges who do politics and politicians who try to do justice, there is no doubt,’ Sánchez told public broadcaster TVE when questioned about the investigations (click here for a link to the full interview).
‘Fortunately it is a minority, but it exists and it causes terrible damage, immense harm to justice and to the judiciary,’ he added.
Sánchez, who has led Spain since 2018, dismissed the probes into his family as unfounded and politically motivated, saying they originated from far-right complaints. ALSO READ: ‘Mafia or Democracy’ – tens of thousands join PP’s 6th anti-government rally in Madrid.
‘Never would I have thought that this could happen to a person with political responsibilities, especially when it comes from false accusations, press clippings from far-right organisations that present them in some courts to open a case,’ he said.
His wife, Begoña Gómez, has been the subject of an investigation since April last year, accused of corruption and influence peddling linked to her previous work at Madrid’s Complutense University. ALSO READ: Judge summons wife of Spanish PM to testify as a suspect of embezzlement.
His younger brother, David Sánchez, is also being investigated on allegations of embezzlement, influence peddling and tax fraud. ALSO READ: Brother of Spanish prime minister to face trial for alleged influence peddling.
The scandals have also touched figures from within his party. Santos Cerdán, the prime minister’s former chief of staff, was arrested in June over suspected kickbacks tied to public contracts. ALSO READ: Judge orders pre-trial detention for PSOE’s former organisation secretary.
In the same case, former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and his adviser Koldo García remain under investigation. ALSO READ: Former Spanish transport minister denies corruption allegations in court.
Asked about those cases, Sánchez insisted: ‘I had no objective information indicating that they could commit supposed acts of corruption’, and rejected suggestions that his socialist party was plagued by ‘systemic corruption’. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez vows not to quit, and presents 15-point anti-corruption plan.
The unfolding probes have weakened support for Sánchez’s minority coalition government in recent opinion polls and strengthened calls from the opposition for him to step down. ALSO READ: Sánchez battles to control PSOE crisis, as claims of sexual harassment force a new resignation.
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