Corruption allegations intensify around Spain’s government as MP resigns

Spanish Socialist Workers’ MP resigns after judge finds ‘firm evidence’ of possible involvement in kickbacks

The swirl of corruption allegations surrounding the centre-left government of Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has intensified dramatically after a senior member of his Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) resigned hours after a judge found “firm evidence” of his possible involvement in taking kickbacks on public construction contracts.

Sánchez – who became prime minister in 2018 after using a motion of no confidence to turf the corruption-mired conservative People’s party (PP) from office – is already contending with a series of graft probes relating to his wife, his brother, his former transport minister, and one of that minister’s aides. All deny any wrongdoing. A former PSOE member was also recently implicated in an alleged smear campaign against the Guardia Civil police unit investigating the corruption allegations.