Factbox-The court cases plaguing Spain's ruling Socialist Party
Overview of Legal Challenges Facing Spain's Socialist Workers' Party
MADRID, June 22 (Reuters) - Spain's ruling Socialist Workers' Party faces several court cases involving allegations of graft, influence-peddling and other crimes that have implicated members of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's inner circle.
Sanchez has not been named in any of the cases to date.
There are more than a dozen people being investigated or tried, including his wife and brother, high-ranking party officials, and an influential former Socialist premier.
Here is a rundown of each case:
Facemasks Scandal
Charges and Key Figures
• In September 2023, prosecutors filed charges against seven public figures including Koldo Garcia, an adviser to former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos, who was later also charged.
Supreme Court Verdict
• On June 22, the Supreme Court found Abalos and Garcia guilty of collecting kickbacks on public contracts for the bulk purchase of facemasks and medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of other crimes, sentencing them to 24 and 19 years in prison, respectively.
• Abalos, who in 2024 was expelled from the PSOE, received the longest prison sentence ever imposed on a former Spanish minister since the country's return to democracy.
Investigation into Prime Minister's Wife
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
• In April 2024, a Madrid judge began probing whether Sanchez's wife, Begoña Gomez, used her position to secure sponsors for a university master's degree programme she directed, allegedly bypassing a public bidding process.
• Sanchez says the case is politically motivated and driven by far-right opponents.
• The charges are backed by far-right party Vox and other groups, which are seeking a prison sentence for Gomez.
Recent Developments
• On June 20, investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado ruled that Gomez must stand trial and surrender her passport, citing flight risk.
Investigation into Prime Minister's Brother
Nepotism Allegations
• In May 2024, a judge opened an investigation into the premier's brother, David Sanchez, for allegedly securing his public job in the Socialist-controlled provincial council of Badajoz through nepotism. The case is based on allegations from far-right group Manos Limpias.
Trial Status
• In the trial that happened between May 28 and June 9, 2026, prosecutors and his lawyer requested that the case be closed for lack of evidence. The court is yet to decide.
Kickbacks and Bribery Allegations
Charges Against Santos Cerdan
• Santos Cerdan -- a lawmaker who succeeded Abalos as the PSOE's organisational secretary -- faces charges of bribery, belonging to a criminal organisation and influence-peddling in a probe that originated from the mask scandal.
• Cerdan, who had stepped down as a lawmaker and left the Socialist Party, was placed in pretrial detention but conditionally released in November 2025 and now awaits trial. He denies wrongdoing.
Cash Payments and Party Financing
High Court Investigation
• In a spin-off of the Cerdan case, the High Court is examining whether the PSOE ran an undeclared internal slush fund to make opaque cash payments to senior party figures, including Abalos.
• The PSOE has ruled out the existence of illegal financing, but its own internal audit found some "surprising" expenses charged to the party by Abalos' secretariat.
• The investigation continues and the details are secret.
Zapatero/Plus Ultra Case
Allegations Against Former Prime Minister
• In May 2026, a High Court judge placed former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero under investigation for allegedly leading an influence-peddling and money-laundering network. His daughters and his secretary are also under investigation.
• Among the network's clients was the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, which obtained a pandemic recovery loan of €53 million, the judge said.
• Zapatero, a key Sanchez ally, denied any wrongdoing. Sanchez supported his predecessor's presumption of innocence.
Court Meddling Investigation
Suspected Interference in Judicial Proceedings
• In May 2026, a Madrid judge disclosed a separate investigation involving Cerdan, other PSOE officials, lawyers, a businessman and a police officer.
• The judge said the suspects had attempted to influence public administration decisions and undermine any judicial proceedings or police actions that affected the interests of the PSOE or the government. Cerdan has denied wrongdoing.
(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, David Latona and Corina Pons; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Sharon Singleton, William Maclean)
