Spanish Prime Minister pedro Sánchez stated on Thursday that he had “absolutely nothing” to do with the corruption case that led to the resignation of a high-ranking official in his Socialist Party. He also dismissed calls for his own resignation regarding the matter.

The case intensifies the legal and political strain on Sánchez, a long-serving European socialist leader whose close associates are involved in several ongoing investigations.

Santos Cerdán, the party’s institution secretary, is suspected of being an accomplice in the alleged improper awarding of public contracts, according to a recently released judicial report. Cerdán, a member of parliament, resigned from his positions “to defend” the government and the party, asserting in a statement that he “never committed any illegal act.”

shortly after, Sánchez told a news conference that he knew “absolutely nothing” about the corruption accusations against his longtime associate, having learned about them in the press earlier that day.

“We never should have trusted him,” the premier stated,adding that he had demanded Cerdán’s resignation.

A judge indicated that a police report “reveals the existence of consistent evidence” suggesting that Cerdán colluded with former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and the latter’s former adviser, Koldo García Izaguirre, in exchange for financial gain.

recordings Implicate Officials

Cerdán’s position became untenable after excerpts of recordings were published, reportedly capturing conversations with Ábalos and García. The recordings allegedly feature the three men discussing secret commission payments by companies in exchange for public contracts.

Cerdán has been invited to testify voluntarily before the supreme Court on June 25th.

Lawmakers from the main opposition Popular Party (PP) greeted Cerdán in parliament with chants of “resignation”.

“If anyone had doubts that there was a mafia-like network behind the ruling party and the government, I suppose those doubts have now been dispelled,” PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo told reporters, while calling for Sánchez to resign. “This is unacceptable in a European Union country. A European prime minister wouldn’t last 10 minutes after the revelations we’ve seen in recent weeks,” he added.

“We never should have trusted him,” the premier stated, adding that he had demanded Cerdán’s resignation.

Sánchez has ruled out calling early elections, asserting that the case “does not affect the government of Spain, only the party”.

Broader Investigations and Political Context

Tens of thousands of people participated in a protest against Sánchez’s government in Madrid, organized by the PP.

Ábalos,who served as transport minister from 2018 to 2021,is accused of receiving illegal commissions through business contracts. He faces charges of corruption, influence peddling, and embezzlement. Ábalos was dismissed from Sánchez’s cabinet in 2021 and expelled from the Socialist Party earlier this year but remains a member of parliament as an self-reliant.

His parliamentary immunity was lifted in January. During a court hearing in December, he denied receiving any kickbacks and maintained that there were no irregularities.

Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, and his brother, David Sánchez, are also under separate investigations for graft.

Spain’s top prosecutor, Alvaro Garcia Ortiz, who was appointed by Sánchez’s government, may face trial over suspicions he leaked secret case files concerning the partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso.

the Spanish prime minister has dismissed the probes against members of his inner circle as a “smear campaign” carried out by the right wing to undermine his government.

Sánchez assumed power in June 2018 after ousting his predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, in a no-confidence vote over corruption scandals involving the PP.

Recent opinion polls indicate the PP holds a slight lead over the Socialists.