Spanish PM’s Former Aide Arrested in Corruption Probe

 

Santos Cerdán, a key figure in Spain's ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and once the closest political ally of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been remanded in custody by the Spanish Supreme Court. The detention follows a major corruption investigation alleging Cerdán accepted kickbacks tied to public construction contracts. His arrest has triggered a political firestorm, placing significant pressure on Sánchez’s centre-left government.

Cerdán served as the PSOE's organisational secretary and had worked closely with Sánchez. He resigned earlier in the month after judicial findings presented what was described as “firm evidence” of criminal conduct. Despite public apologies from Sánchez and his swift call for Cerdán’s resignation, the prime minister has rejected mounting demands from opposition parties for a snap general election.

On Monday, Cerdán appeared before the Supreme Court, where he denied all allegations of bribery, influence peddling, and criminal association. However, Judge Leopoldo Puente denied him bail and ordered him held in custody. The case is based on evidence presented by the anti-corruption unit of the Guardia Civil, indicating Cerdán allegedly discussed kickback arrangements with former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and his aide Koldo Garcíaboth also under investigation.

Cerdán has stepped down from all political roles, including his parliamentary seat, and insists he will fight to clear his name. Still, the scandal continues to shake the foundations of the PSOE, once elected to replace a corruption-plagued conservative government in 2018.

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The corruption allegations against Santos Cerdán add to a series of integrity scandals now surrounding Pedro Sánchez’s administration. The prime minister, already under pressure due to separate investigations involving his wife and brother, is facing a credibility crisis just over a year into his current term. Although Sánchez maintains his commitment to transparency and justice, opposition parties claim his government is losing legitimacy.

Sánchez came to power in 2018 following a no-confidence vote against the conservative People’s Party, which had been embroiled in widespread corruption cases. Now, critics argue that history is repeating itself. Sánchez’s past emphasis on ethical governance is now in question, with the Partido Popular (PP), led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, using the opportunity to call for immediate elections.

Feijóo was quick to respond to the court’s decision, stating that a government whose prime minister’s top aide is imprisoned on bribery charges must allow voters to decide its future. He said, “If this doesn’t justify an election, Sánchez is out of touch with reality.”

In response, Sánchez acknowledged the gravity of the situation but defended the party's handling of it. “We acted firmly and now it will be up to the judicial authorities to establish Mr. Cerdán’s responsibility,” he said. The prime minister’s remarks are seen as an attempt to distance himself from the scandal while containing political fallout.

The latest development has also unveiled internal tensions within the PSOE. A former party member is reportedly linked to an attempted smear campaign against the Guardia Civil unit investigating the corruption, suggesting that internal resistance to the probe may exist.

With high-profile investigations now encircling Sánchez’s political inner circle, the PSOE government faces perhaps its most severe crisis since taking office, and its political future may hinge on judicial outcomes.