Judicial scandals surround Spanish President Pedro Sánchez's circle
Several judicial proceedings affect those close to Spain's head of government, with recent convictions of former ministers and ongoing cases against direct family members.
Judicial scandals surround Spanish President Pedro Sánchez's circle
Spain's political landscape is being shaken by a succession of judicial cases affecting the innermost circle of the head of the executive. Close relatives, former ministers and trusted collaborators of Pedro Sánchez are being investigated or have already been sentenced for offences including bribery, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of influence.
The president's partner before the courts
In spring 2024, a judge in the Spanish capital opened proceedings against Begoña Gómez, spouse of the Socialist leader. The complaint, filed by a far-right association, accuses her of obtaining funds irregularly for her teaching activities at a Madrid university and of facilitating businesspeople's access to her husband. Two years later, in June 2026, the oral trial phase opened. The court confiscated her travel documents, prevented her from leaving the country and required her to report periodically to the judicial authorities. Both the private prosecution and the public prosecutor's office had previously requested dismissal due to lack of compelling evidence.
The family member investigated for a public position
Another judicial process centres on the president's brother, who obtained a managerial position in the provincial administration of a municipality in Extremadura bordering Portugal in 2016. There is suspicion that the post was created expressly for him, without the corresponding public selection process. In autumn 2025, the provincial court referred the case to trial for unlawful appointment, alleged undue influence and administrative misconduct. The trial concluded in June 2026 and the ruling is pending.
The protective equipment scheme: prison sentences
The most serious matter erupted in 2022, when the prosecution specialising in offences against public administration began investigating public contracts for the purchase of medical supplies during the health crisis. At the centre of the investigation were an adviser to the then head of the Ministry of Transport and a businessman connected to senior officials of the ruling party.
The investigations revealed a large-scale corrupt network. Telephone interceptions, home searches and recordings compromised several leaders of the Socialist party. In the first half of 2026, the highest criminal judicial body handed down an exemplary ruling: the former minister was sentenced to more than two decades in prison, whilst his adviser received a sentence of nearly twenty years for criminal association, bribery, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of influence. The businessman who coordinated the scheme received a suspended sentence thanks to his cooperation with the justice system.
Million-euro air rescue under scrutiny
A fourth case investigates a financial rescue package of 53 million euros granted to an airline during the pandemic. Given that the company maintained links with Venezuelan businessmen close to the Caracas regime, the anti-corruption authorities opened proceedings in 2023 for alleged illegal interference. After an initial dismissal, the case was reactivated in 2026 with new evidence from the United States, France and Switzerland. In May that year, a former Spanish head of government was called to declare as a person under investigation for allegedly using his Latin American contacts to favour the rescue operation.
Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Source: NZZ