Spanish Socialist Party headquarters searched in corruption investigation
The Guardia Civil has raided the national headquarters of the PSOE in Madrid by judicial order, as part of an investigation into alleged payments intended to influence prosecutors and police officers.
Spanish Socialist Party headquarters searched in corruption investigation
On Wednesday morning, officers from the Guardia Civil entered the national headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), located on Ferraz Street in Madrid. The operation was carried out by order of Judge Santiago Pedraz of the National Court, who is directing an investigation into alleged corruption offences.
Officials from a unit specialising in corruption cases seized documents, emails and invoices from the party's facilities. According to the judge's suspicions, under the supervision of three leaders already implicated, at least 188,000 euros would have been disbursed with the aim of "influencing" prosecutors and police officers. The purpose would be to prevent these authorities from taking action against the political party.
The image of the search has provoked strong shock both within and outside the PSOE. A mid-level party official, who requested anonymity, described the situation in these words: "It's a bit like if they had shot us in the arms, in the legs, then in the torso, and now as if they were pointing at the heart". Outside the headquarters, opposing demonstrators gathered in anger alongside numerous journalists.
Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government and leader of the PSOE, has not denied "the seriousness" of the facts. He has stated that it will be necessary to "clean house" in the party, but has rejected demands from the conservative opposition to call "immediate early elections". Sánchez has reiterated his intention to complete his term until 2027.
This new scandal adds to a series of alleged corruption cases that have affected the environment of the Spanish executive in recent times. Media outlets in the country have followed minute by minute the development of the search, which represents a striking image of a ruling party besieged by allegations of misappropriation.
Source: Le Temps
Source: Le Temps