MADRID, Spain, the Guardia Civil has searched the Socialist Party, PSOE, headquarters in Madrid as part of an investigation into alleged illegal party financing. The move adds fresh pressure on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Reports said Sánchez was on his way to the Vatican to meet the Pope when he learned of the search at the party’s Ferraz street offices. The investigation could have wider political consequences if it leads to further action or calls for support to be withdrawn.
In Catalonia, the case is being watched closely because of the role of Catalan parties in Spanish politics. Gabriel Rufián, a prominent Catalan politician, was named in the original report as one of the figures who could be drawn into the debate over the government’s future.
Salvador Illa, leader of the Catalan Socialist Party, PSC, has backed Sánchez and former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Illa said he trusts Zapatero and, above all, the rule of law and the presumption of innocence, and that Zapatero should explain himself first to justice and then to the media.
The political climate in Madrid remains tense. United Left, Esquerra Unida, has pointed to meetings between Popular Party, PP, leaders and US officials in Madrid, while the PP has been accused of hypocrisy over its own corruption history and its alliance with Vox.
Sánchez is expected to speak to the media later today. The investigation into PSOE finances is likely to continue for some time, with possible consequences for the government and future alliances. For more Catalonia-wide political coverage, see our news page.