On July 24, 2025, a new corruption investigation in Spain has intensified, focusing on allegations of bribery involving high-ranking officials within the Spanish government. The Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil released a 500-page report detailing evidence of a criminal organization allegedly managing illegal bribes for construction contracts, with sums exceeding hundreds of thousands of euros. The investigation centers on Santos Cerdán, a former senior official and close confidant of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who resigned from his position as the Socialist Party’s organizational secretary following the report’s release. Recorded conversations between Cerdán, former Public Works Minister José Luis Ábalos, and his advisor Koldo García suggest their involvement in the scheme, prompting outrage and calls for accountability. The probe also extends to five businessmen linked to the rigging of public works contracts. Cerdán is scheduled to testify in the Supreme Court on July 25, 2025, maintaining his innocence and denying any criminal activity. Separately, the investigation into former Transport Minister Ábalos, who was expelled from the Socialist Party in 2024, continues to uncover details of a €50 million corruption case tied to pandemic-era mask purchases. The Popular Party mobilized 50,000 supporters in a recent protest under the slogan ”Mafia or Democracy,” reflecting public demand for transparency. Prime Minister Sánchez has responded by promising an external audit of party finances and a leadership shake-up, while ruling out early elections scheduled for 2027. The scandal has also drawn attention to other ongoing probes involving Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, and his brother, David, though no direct evidence connects the prime minister to the allegations. The government’s coalition partners, including the leftist Sumar party, have called for a ”reset” in relations, while regional parties like Junts and ERC weigh their continued support. This marks a significant challenge to Sánchez’s administration, with the judiciary actively pursuing the cases amid heightened political scrutiny.
34news.online
34news.online
