Spanish Police Search Ruling Socialist Party’s HQ in Widening Graft Probe

Troubles are mounting for Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as police searched the Madrid headquarters of his ruling Socialist Party as part of an anti-corruption probe.Agents from the Civil Guard entered the headquarters, with notice, to request information regarding alleged payments connected to socialist activist Leire Díez and others. The payments are allegedly linked to a plot aimed at influencing police and legal proceedings involving the party or the government, Spain broadcaster RTVE reported.The Spanish media last year played audio recordings of Ms. Díez allegedly trying to discredit a member of the Civil Guard’s anti-corruption unit. She was also allegedly linked to attempts to influence state prosecutors. The raid was linked into the investigation as prosecutors seek to determine if the party paid her for those activities. Ms. Díez has denied doing anything wrong and has left the Socialist party.The probe is also looking at former Spanish politician and Socialist Party figure Santos Cerdán, who has faced other legal troubles. A police officer, a former regional government vice president, two lawyers, and a business owner are also part of the probe.Mr. Sánchez was in Rome to meet with Pope Leo XIV as the raid took place. He called the police action a request for documents and not a police search.“We respect the justice system, we will collaborate with the courts and there is the commitment in the Socialist Party that if there are new episodes of improper behavior, we will act with the same firmness we always have,” Mr. Sánchez told reporters.The Socialists have faced a number of corruption scandals, including investigations into Mr. Sánchez’s wife and brother over allegations of influence peddling. David Sánchez is set to go on trial on Thursday over an allegation that a government job was created for him.The prime minister, who has been in office since June 2018, has publicly defended his family and accused Spanish judges of political bias.Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, also a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, is the target of a separate investigation in connection with a government airline bailout. Investigators are looking into possible influence peddling and money laundering by Mr. Zapatero.The cases come as the Socialist government relies on a junior coalition partner to stay in power. The left-wing political party, Sumar, led by Yolanda Díaz, has not broken from the Socialists yet although Ms. Díaz has said she will not run for re-election in 2027. Mr. Sánchez said he would not call early elections, which polling shows favors the conservative People’s Party and populist Vox party winning about 49 percent of the vote if elections were held today. Mr. Sanchez’s party, combined with Sumar and smaller coalition party members, would reach about 40 percent.Mr. Sánchez has gained international notoriety for bluntly criticizing the joint American-Israeli attacks on Iran. He refused to allow American forces to use military bases in Spain to launch attacks.Spain is also behind on its spending commitment to NATO. “Spain is the only one that’s not willing to accept that, and we’re trying to convince them that this is part of our common security, that we all have to comply with these numbers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in March at a White House meeting with President Trump.Mr. Trump has threatened to cut off all trade with Spain over the rift, calling the government “unfriendly.”

Spanish Police Search Ruling Socialist Party’s HQ in Widening Graft Probe

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