Corruption Probe Spain

Spanish police have entered the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in Madrid as part of an investigation into possible financial wrongdoing. The probe is related to allegations of corruption against former party members and other individuals. The development comes after former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was placed under formal investigation last week in connection with a government airline bailout. The police search is strictly limited to the inquiry, led by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz, into the possible wrongdoing of PSOE member Leire Diez. The case against Diez started in 2025 when audio recordings appeared in Spanish media of her apparent involvement in attempts to discredit a member of the Civil Guard's anticorruption unit. The head of the main opposition conservative People's Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said Pedro Sanchez's government 'stinks' of corruption and renewed his call for early elections. The prime minister's brother and wife are also being investigated over allegations of influence peddling, which both deny. Sanchez has dismissed the cases against his family members as baseless and part of a right-wing 'smear campaign'. The investigation has put pressure on Sanchez's government and prompted protests in Madrid over the weekend.