Sánchez hit by new political storm as brother goes to court over public role allegations

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing mounting political pressure after his brother appeared in court today as part of an expanding series of investigations involving figures linked to the ruling PSOE Socialist party. David Sánchez Pérez-Castejón appeared before a court in Badajoz on Thursday over allegations connected to his appointment to a publicly funded cultural role in Extremadura.

Prosecutors allege that the position was improperly created for him in 2017 through political influence within the PSOE-controlled provincial authority. David Sánchez denies any wrongdoing.The hearing marks another damaging moment for Sánchez’s government at a time when multiple judicial investigations are placing the Socialist party under intense scrutiny.

Brother of Prime Minister Faces Allegations Over Public Role

The case centres on David Sánchez’s former role as head of the performing arts office at the Diputación de Badajoz. Investigators are examining whether the recruitment process was manipulated to favour him and whether the role itself was specifically designed around his appointment. The allegations include influence peddling and administrative misconduct.

Several regional officials are also facing proceedings alongside him. Opposition parties have seized on the case as evidence of what they describe as a wider culture of political favouritism within the PSOE. Government officials, however, insist the judicial process should be allowed to continue without political interference and maintain that no evidence has been presented linking the Prime Minister directly to the appointment.

Pedro Sánchez has not been accused of any criminal offence in relation to his brother’s case.

PSOE Facing Intensifying Pressure This Week

While David Sánchez’s court appearance took place today, pressure on the Socialist government has been building throughout the week as separate corruption investigations involving current and former PSOE figures continue to expand.

One of the most politically damaging cases remains the so-called “Koldo case”, an investigation into alleged illegal commission payments linked to public contracts awarded during and after the pandemic. The inquiry initially focused on former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and his former adviser Koldo García, but investigators later widened the investigation to include other senior Socialist officials, including former organisation secretary Santos Cerdán. Reports this week also pointed to renewed activity from the Guardia Civil’s Central Operative Unit (UCO), including requests for documentation from PSOE headquarters in Madrid.

Additional political pressure has emerged this week following controversy involving former Socialist councillor Leire Díez, amid media reports alleging attempts to obtain compromising information on members of the UCO involved in ongoing investigations. The PSOE has denied any coordinated effort against investigators but the episode has intensified criticism from opposition parties.

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has also been drawn into separate reporting this week linked to the state rescue of airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic. While he has not been formally charged as of yet, the coverage has further contributed to a politically sensitive climate for the Socialist party.

Abascal and Feijóo Hold Meeting Amid Political Fallout

As pressure mounted on the government, Santiago Abascal and Alberto Núñez Feijóo held discussions this week regarding the growing political crisis surrounding the PSOE and the future parliamentary response from the opposition. The meeting between the leaders of Vox and the Partido Popular came amid increasing calls for Sánchez to either resign or call an early general election. Although the two parties remain divided on several policy issues, both leaders have intensified criticism of the government following the latest judicial developments.

Feijóo has argued that the Prime Minister’s administration is becoming politically unsustainable due to the number of investigations involving figures connected to the Socialist party. Abascal, meanwhile, accused Sánchez of presiding over what he described as institutional degradation and called for stronger parliamentary action against the government. The discussions between the opposition leaders have fuelled speculation over potential co-ordination between the Partido Popular and Vox if political instability surrounding the government deepens further in the coming months.

Separate Investigation Involving Sánchez’s Wife Continues

The Prime Minister is also facing continued scrutiny over the separate investigation involving his wife, Begoña Gómez. She remains under investigation in Madrid over allegations linked to influence peddling, business corruption and the alleged misuse of public resources. Gómez denies wrongdoing.

Pedro Sánchez himself is not expected to appear before the court in relation to that matter until the end of June, according to the current judicial timetable surrounding the case. The investigation involving Gómez has become one of the most politically sensitive legal issues facing the government over the past year and contributed to Sánchez briefly considering his resignation in 2025 before ultimately deciding to remain in office.

Political Crisis Deepens Around Socialist Government

The combination of overlapping investigations involving Sánchez’s family members, senior PSOE officials and former ministers has created one of the deepest political crises faced by the Socialist government since it entered power.

Although none of the allegations against the Prime Minister himself have resulted in criminal charges, the continuing court proceedings have severely damaged the government politically and increased pressure on coalition partners supporting the minority administration.

With further hearings expected in the coming weeks and additional developments likely before summer, the legal and political difficulties surrounding Pedro Sánchez and the PSOE show little sign of easing.