Civil Guard officers entered the Madrid headquarters of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party to search for information related to a potential illegal payments scheme. The search was conducted as part of a National Court investigation into alleged corruption involving a former party member connected to a state-run company. Investigators provided limited details due to a secret, ongoing investigation. A PSOE spokeswoman said the party was calm and fully cooperating. The actions followed an investigation into former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero concerning alleged wrongdoing and kickbacks related to a 2021 bailout for Plus Ultra airline during COVID-related travel disruption. The allegations have increased political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government and prompted protests and calls for early elections.
"Police officers entered the Madrid headquarters of Spain's ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) on Wednesday to search for information about a potential illegal payments scheme, the Civil Guard said. This comes as Prime Minsiter Pedro Sanchez's party is being buffeted by a series of graft allegations, includingallegations of impropriety by former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The news has put pressure on Sanchez's government and prompted protests in Madrid over the weekend."
"Police were searching for meterial as part of a National Court probe into alleged corruption by a former party member involved in a state-run company, the Civil Guard told the Associated Press. Investigators told various media outlets that they could only provide a limited amount of information pertaining to a secret and ongoing investigation. A PSOE spokeswoman told Catalunya Radio that the party was calm and cooperating fully with authorities."
"The searches follow less than a month after news of an investigation into former Prime Minister Zapatero, a close ally of Sanchez. It pertains to potential wrongdoing and kickbacks when arranging a 2021 bailout for the Plus Ultra airline amid the disruption to air travel caused by the COVID pandemic. Sanchez's opponents have been calling for early elections amid the allegations."
"The head of the main opposition conservative People's Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said Sanchez's government "stinks" of corruption and renewed his call for early elections. Protesters in Madrid had made similar demands over the weekend. The allegations impact several members of the PM's inner circle, including his wife and brother."
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