The Spanish Prime Minister announced changes in the party after “serious” allegations of corruption

On Thursday, the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced changes in the central authorities of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) after allegations of corruption against his colleagues, which the head of government described as “serious”. However, he does not agree to earlier parliamentary elections.

Sanchez apologized at the PSOE headquarters in Madrid “public opinion” after his close associate Santos Cerdan was accused of accepting bribes for illegally granting contracts for public works.

Cerdan – MP and “third person” in PSOE, referred to as the right hand of Sanchez – resigned on Thursday from the function of organizational secretary of the party and announced a dismissal of a place in the Congress of Deputies. Before the resignation, he met with the Prime Minister at the Moncloa Palace, headquarters of the head of the government.

“We should not trust him,” Sanchez admitted, describing the allegations against Cerdan as “serious.”

In the report of the gendarmerie unit dealing with the fight against corruption (UCO), the names of the former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos and his adviser Kold Garcia were also mentioned as involved in a corruption case.

The prime minister announced external control in the party, but rejected the possibility of writing earlier choices, to which the opposition with the People's Party (PP) at the forefront calls. The next parliamentary elections in Spain are scheduled for 2027.

“There will be no elections by 2027, because it is not about me, the socialist party or PSOE deputies, but about a political project that does good things for our country,” said Sanchez. “Spain now needs stability,” he added.

The leader of the extreme right -wing Vox Santiago Abascal group interrupted a visit to Paraguay on Thursday to return to Madrid, calling PP to apply for a vote of distrust of the government.

Members of the Sumar coalition block found the prime minister's explanations and announcements as “insufficient”.

This is another scandal that shakes the Sanchez government; Also his wife, Begon Gomez, is dealing with allegations of corruption.

A few days ago, the Supreme Court judge Angel Hurtado decided to accuse Prosecutor General Alvaro Garcia Ortiz. He was to reveal confidential information from the investigation against the partner of the head of the Madrid Community and the opposition policy Isabel Diaz Ayuso.

The Ortiz defended by Garcia government refuses to resign.

From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)

MRF/ MAL/