BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Law enforcement authorities conducted a search of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party headquarters on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct, according to the Civil Guard.
The operation at the Madrid office represents another setback for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s political organization, which has faced numerous corruption allegations in recent months.
Civil Guard officials informed The Associated Press that officers were executing court orders to collect evidence related to a National Court investigation examining corruption allegations against former party officials and other suspects.
Authorities stated the operation is specifically focused on an investigation overseen by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz examining potential misconduct by Socialist party member Leire Díez.
The investigation into Díez began in 2025 after audio recordings surfaced in Spanish media suggesting her involvement in efforts to undermine a Civil Guard anti-corruption unit member. Additional reports connected her to alleged attempts to interfere with state prosecutors’ work. The judge’s investigation aims to determine whether she received party payments to allegedly conduct these activities.
The Socialist party maintained she was operating independently. Díez, who has departed the party, has rejected any wrongdoing.
A court statement released Wednesday indicated that judge Pedraz directed the Civil Guard to “confiscate diverse documentation and electronic archives in an investigation of a ring designed to destabilize judicial processes that were affecting the ruling party.”
The judge indicated that beyond Díez, he is examining the suspected involvement of former Socialist heavyweight Santos Cerdán — already under scrutiny in another corruption matter — along with a former Andalusia regional government member, a police officer, a business owner and two attorneys. The judge is investigating them for suspected bribery, providing false testimony, document forgery, influence peddling, and corruption.
Last week another court announced it was examining former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero regarding a government airline bailout. He has rejected any misconduct allegations.
Sánchez’s wife and brother are under investigation for suspected influence peddling, which both have disputed.
Most significantly for the Socialists, Cerdán and a former minister under Sánchez are both facing investigation for allegedly participating in a kickback scheme that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, which they have contested.
Sánchez, who has served as prime minister since 2018, has characterized the cases involving his family as a “smear campaign.” However, the corruption investigation involving his former associates prompted him to request the nation’s “forgiveness” in 2025.
His minority administration relies on support from a junior coalition partner, which has maintained its backing despite the legal proceedings.
Sánchez, who has gained international attention for progressive positions that have drawn criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, has not been directly connected to any of the scandals.
