On May 27, agents from Spain’s Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard searched the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid as part of an investigation into potential illegal financing of the political party.
According to reports from Reuters, The Associated Press, and Spanish media outlet 20 Minutos, the National Court judge, Santiago Pedraz, has charged several individuals, including former PSOE organizational secretary Santos Serdan, current party leader Ana María Fuentes, party consultant Leyre Díez, and former Andalusian government minister Gaspar Sarria, with attempting to “destabilize the judicial process” against the party.
The alleged offenses include participation in a criminal organization, bribery, disclosure of secrets, coercion to provide false testimony, falsification of commercial documents, abuse of office, and crimes against public institutions.
As part of the investigation, the judge issued a warrant for the seizure of documents and electronic files from the party’s headquarters.
During a press conference in Rome following a meeting with Pope Francis, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the procedural actions at the headquarters should not be characterized as a police raid. He emphasized that the party is fully cooperating with the investigation.
“We respect the justice system, we will cooperate with the investigation, and the Socialist Party is committed to taking firm action if any new instances of misconduct arise,” Sánchez remarked.
Previously, the National Court accused former Prime Minister and key Sánchez ally, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, of money laundering, influence peddling, and other crimes related to financial assistance provided for the rescue of the airline Plus Ultra in 2021.
On April 13, 2026, a Spanish court charged Prime Minister Sánchez’s wife, Begona Gómez, with influence peddling and bribery. Additionally, Sánchez’s brother faces allegations of potential influence peddling linked to his work in regional administration.
On June 20, 2025, it was reported that Spanish police were investigating corruption involving PSOE senior official Santos Serdan and former transport minister José Luis Ábalos, both of whom are affiliated with the party.
Despite the ongoing corruption investigation within his party, Sánchez has refused to resign and announced his intention to run for re-election as Prime Minister in 2027.
On July 5, Sánchez indicated that reforms would be implemented within the Socialist Party, including 13 measures such as random asset checks for party officials, reports on tax compliance, and oversight of decisions made by senior officials.
On July 9, Sánchez announced a series of 15 initiatives aimed at combating corruption in the country, which include the establishment of an anti-corruption agency and court.
The Spanish Civil Guard's search of the Socialist Party headquarters marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption within the party. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has affirmed his commitment to cooperate with authorities while facing multiple allegations against party members.