Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is navigating one of the most precarious periods of his leadership as corruption allegations close in on his most trusted allies. The latest blow came with the Supreme Court’s revelation implicating Santos Cerdán—one of the Socialist Party’s senior-most figures—in a suspected scheme involving public works contracts exchanged for kickbacks. Although Sánchez himself is not implicated, the political fallout is proving intense.

This development adds to an already growing list of judicial investigations involving individuals close to Sánchez, including his wife, brother, and Spain's top prosecutor—each facing separate preliminary inquiries. The convergence of these cases is eroding confidence in his leadership and emboldening opposition voices.

Political Allies Turn Uneasy

While Sánchez expressed regret over the scandals and affirmed his intent to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, fractures within his coalition are becoming increasingly visible. The far-left Sumar party, a junior partner in the government, has begun to distance itself from Sánchez’s administration, calling for a clear shift in direction rather than mere apologies.

The separatist Catalan party Junts, whose support Sánchez depends on to pass legislation, is now demanding an urgent dialogue to assess the viability of the current parliamentary arrangement. Though Junts and other partners are hesitant to collapse the government, their discomfort is growing louder.

Calls for Confidence Vote Escalate

The opposition Popular Party (PP), led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has seized on the crisis to question Sánchez’s legitimacy. While the PP has stopped short of tabling a no-confidence motion, fearing it could backfire, it is pressing coalition allies to rethink their support, framing inaction as complicity in “the biggest wave of corruption” under Sánchez’s watch.

Some political analysts argue that the pressure may force Sánchez to call a confidence vote in parliament. While the government currently refuses to consider this, internal whispers suggest that such a move could become necessary to stabilize the administration and reassert control.

Sánchez’s Political Future in Question

The crisis is ironic for Sánchez, who first rose to power by toppling former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in 2018 through a no-confidence vote over corruption within Rajoy’s party. Now, six years later, Sánchez is facing a hauntingly similar storm of allegations, though indirectly, and the same political tools he once wielded threaten his tenure.

As he tries to weather this political turbulence, Sánchez's main challenge lies in maintaining unity within a coalition bound more by fear of the opposition than by ideological alignment. His long-term survival will depend on how effectively he addresses his allies’ unease and reassures the public that he remains fit to lead.