Spanish PM Sánchez Apologizes as Senior Aide Resigns Amid €620K Bribery Probe

Santos Cerdán, a senior official and organizational secretary in Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE), has resigned from all party and parliamentary posts after being linked to a major corruption probe involving alleged illegal commissions and kickbacks related to COVID-era mask procurement contracts. The investigation, which also implicates former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and adviser Koldo García, centers on the improper awarding of public works contracts, with police reportedly having recordings of Cerdán discussing suspected kickbacks. Cerdán denies any wrongdoing and says he is stepping down to defend his innocence as he prepares to testify in Spain’s Supreme Court. Prime Minister Sánchez expressed deep disappointment and apologized to citizens, pledging to restructure the party leadership and order an independent audit of party finances. Despite mounting opposition demands for his resignation and calls for early elections, Sánchez insisted he would remain in office and continue his government’s political project. The scandal represents a significant challenge to Spain’s fragile coalition government and has intensified scrutiny of political corruption at the highest levels.