A Spanish court has sentenced former Transport Minister and close ally of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, José Luis Ábalos, to 24 years in prison for corruption, in a ruling that is expected to send shockwaves through Spain’s Socialist government.
Ábalos was found guilty of participation in a criminal organization, bribery, embezzlement of public funds, and unlawful influence peddling. His former adviser, Koldo García, was also convicted and sentenced to 19 years in prison on similar charges.
According to investigators, the two officials received bribes in exchange for awarding public contracts worth millions of euros for medical and sanitary supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businessman Víctor de Aldama, who admitted his involvement in the scheme, was also convicted. He received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence; however, due to his cooperation with authorities, his sentence was suspended.
The ruling comes at a particularly difficult time for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government is already facing a series of corruption investigations involving members of his political and family circles.
In its decision, the court stated that the corruption scheme had caused “a serious deterioration of public trust in the political system,” undermining the democratic functioning of the state.
Ábalos was widely regarded as one of the key figures behind Sánchez’s rise to power in 2018 and an influential member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE).
The scandal deepened further after leaked recordings of private conversations between the accused reportedly referenced money and prostitutes, damaging the image of the Socialist Party, which has traditionally positioned itself as a defender of women’s rights.
During the trial, Aldama alleged that Sánchez himself was at the center of the criminal network and that the ruling party had benefited from illegal financing. The Prime Minister has categorically denied the accusations, insisting that he had no involvement in the activities of those convicted.
Opposition Demands Resignation: “The End of the Road”
Following the verdict, opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called on Sánchez to resign.
“With what legitimacy can he remain in power? None. This is the end of the road,” Feijóo declared, arguing that the government has even failed to pass a national budget.
Sánchez, known for his political resilience during difficult moments, has so far refused to resign or call early elections.
Pressure on the government has also intensified due to investigations involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, and his brother, David Sánchez.
Gómez is expected to stand trial before a jury over allegations that she used her position for private gain and has reportedly been barred from leaving the country. Meanwhile, David Sánchez is facing trial over accusations that he received a public-sector position through preferential treatment.
In a related development, former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is also reportedly under investigation for alleged improper influence in a case involving an airline company.
Despite the mounting pressure, Sánchez has described all allegations as politically motivated and is expected to address Parliament in the coming days.
