A trial involving the brother of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez drew to a close on Tuesday, marking the latest development in a series of corruption-related cases that have increased pressure on Spain’s socialist-led coalition government.
David Sánchez stands accused of benefiting from the creation of a specially designed public-sector role in Badajoz, Extremadura, initially established as coordinator of the province’s music conservatories before later evolving into the head of its performing arts office.
He and 10 other defendants have been on trial in the southwestern city since 28 May on allegations of influence peddling and abuse of office. All have denied wrongdoing.
On the final day of proceedings, prosecutors stated that no criminal offence had been proven and requested that David Sánchez be acquitted. ALSO READ: Spanish PM’s brother goes on trial amid mounting pressure on government.
Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor whose professional career has included training and work in Saint Petersburg, Toulouse, Tokyo and Madrid, declined to make any statement.
According to prosecutors, the position at the centre of the case was created in 2016, two years before Pedro Sánchez became Spain’s prime minister. David Sánchez is alleged to have remained in the role until at least the beginning of 2025.
The post fell under the authority of the Badajoz provincial council, which was governed by the Socialist Party (PSOE) at the time.
Earlier in the proceedings, judges dismissed a separate accusation that David Sánchez had improperly accepted the appointment in 2017, ruling that the legal deadline for bringing that charge had expired. ALSO READ: Court drops one charge against Spanish PM’s brother in influence-peddling trial.
The case comes against the backdrop of several separate corruption investigations involving members of Pedro Sánchez’s family and former senior PSOE figures, fuelling questions over the long-term stability of his minority left-wing coalition government. ALSO READ: Spanish PM denies any knowledge of suspected scheme targeting corruption probes.
The most recent prominent figure to come under scrutiny is Sánchez’s political mentor and former Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who is the subject of a formal investigation into alleged influence peddling and other suspected offences. ALSO READ: Judge delays Zapatero’s Plus Ultra testimony as police seize jewellery and luxury watches from safe.
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El juicio a David Sánchez por su contratación en Badajoz queda visto para sentencia.
El hermano del presidente del Gobierno no ha utilizado el derecho a la última palabra. Sí lo ha hecho otro de los acusados, el expresidente de la Institución Provincial, Miguel Ángel Gallardo.… pic.twitter.com/DitlhDA77V— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) June 9, 2026
David Sánchez renuncia a hacer uso de su último turno de palabra antes de que el juicio quede visto para sentencia. Miguel Ángel Gallardo reitera su inocencia y denuncia “un juicio mediático”: “Nos han condenado socialmente” https://t.co/5c5oZ6jyvC pic.twitter.com/fiIVtZnl8F
— Europa Press (@europapress) June 9, 2026
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