Spain’s Sánchez Plays Down Impact of Party Sexual Scandals
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used his annual year-end press conference to play down corruption and sexual misconduct cases hitting his party and government.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used his annual year-end press conference to play down corruption and sexual misconduct cases hitting his party and government.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.“We feel full of determination, of conviction, and also of energy,” Sánchez said at the Moncloa government house on Monday. “That is why we are going to give the best of ourselves in this second half of the term,” he said, in reference to his mandate, which runs to 2027.Sánchez is facing growing unease within his party and government after a series of recent cases, including accusations that party officials shelved an investigation into sexual misconduct by a long-time aide. A former head of the state-holdings corporation was recently arrested as part of a corruption investigation.The sexual misconduct case has led to a wave of other scandals in Sánchez’s Socialists, with at least four cases coming to light subsequently involving lower-level party members or officials in local administrations. This presents a special challenge for the prime minister as female voters have traditionally been more inclined to vote for the Socialists than for their main rival, the People’s Party. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Several members of Sánchez’s inner circle are also targets of graft investigations and one of his former ministers is being held in custody. The scandals are shaping the campaign ahead of snap elections in the western region of Extremadura on Dec. 21. Historically a Socialist bastion, the region has been governed by the PP since 2023 and the conservatives are likely to retain power. “We have made mistakes, as everyone does,” Sánchez said. “But unlike others we face those mistakes and act accordingly.”Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2025 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.