Spain Supreme Court Detains Former PSOE Official in Corruption Probe Threatening Sanchez

Spain's ruling Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) faces a major corruption scandal that threatens Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's minority government. Former PSOE organization secretary Santos Cerdán has been ordered into pretrial detention by the Spanish Supreme Court on charges including bribery, criminal organization, and influence peddling, linked to a scheme involving over €500 million in rigged public works contracts. Cerdán, along with former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and aide Koldo García, is accused of coordinating illegal kickbacks from construction firms like Acciona, with evidence including audio recordings suggesting their direct involvement. Despite their denials and claims of political motivation, the Supreme Court judge cited strong evidence and the risk of evidence destruction, prompting Cerdán's resignation and raising questions about the integrity of Sánchez's administration. The scandal recalls past corruption cases in Spain and has led to increasing political tensions and calls for snap elections. Prime Minister Sánchez has distanced himself from the accused while expressing confidence in the judiciary to determine the truth, but the crisis continues to deepen.