MADRID – Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, vowed on Sunday to stay in office until the 2027 general election, despite mounting corruption scandals engulfing his ruling Socialist party, key allies and figures close to his political circle.
Speaking at the youth congress of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), Sánchez defended his government’s record in his first major party rally since the Socialists suffered a historic defeat in Andalusia, once a stronghold of the party.
“Socialism may be thwarted, but we never give up a fight,” he told the crowd. “We will continue to govern until 2027. And beyond!”
The Spanish leader insisted more time was needed for voters to feel the impact of the coalition’s social and economic policies, dismissing growing calls for early elections as a series of judicial inquiries. pressure on his government.
Former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a longtime ally of Sanchez, is also under investigation by Spain’s National Court, the country’s highest criminal court, over alleged influence peddling and money laundering linked to the bailout of Venezuela-linked Spanish airline Plus Ultra.
Spanish police recently raided the PSOE headquarters in Madrid as part of a separate judicial investigation into alleged attempts to interfere in legal proceedings involving current and former party figures.
The scandals have exposed growing tensions within the socialist camp.
Emiliano García-Page, the powerful socialist president of Castilla–La Mancha and one of Sanchez’s most prominent domestic critics, warned this week that the party was facing its most dangerous moment since Spain’s return to democracy and urged Sanchez to hold a vote of confidence or call early elections.
Patience has also worn thin among some of the regionalist and separatist parties that keep Sanchez in power.
“Given the situation, we believe that the mandate has ended. said Aitor Esteban, head of the conservative Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), a key ally of Sanchez’s coalition. Catalan separatist party Junts as well CALLED for early elections.
Both parties, however, ruled out supporting a no-confidence vote against Sanchez, as proposed by the far-right party Vox.
The pressure on Sánchez is set to increase in June, with Zapatero because of the testimony on June 17-18 and a historic Supreme Court decision expected before summer in grafting case including former minister José Luis Ábalos.
(cs)
