Spain’s Socialist Heavyweight Santos Cerdán Held Without Bail in Corruption Probe

On June 30, 2025, Spanish authorities detained Santos Cerdán, a senior Socialist Party leader and former organisational secretary closely allied with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, amid a major corruption investigation. A Supreme Court judge ordered him held without bail, citing “strong evidence” he may have accepted kickbacks in exchange for public works contracts. The probe also implicates ex-Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and aide Koldo García, who are accused of the same crimes. Cerdán resigned earlier this month from his party position and parliamentary seat, vehemently denying wrongdoing. PM Sánchez has publicly apologized, called for internal audits, and stated he knew nothing of the alleged corruption. The scandal threatens to destabilize his minority government, which is already under pressure from opposition calls for snap elections.