Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly addressed for the first time the accusations made against him by former minister and ally José Luis Ábalos, who was recently jailed. Sánchez gave two interviews in which he discussed in detail the situation that has triggered a political crisis in the country. He stated unequivocally that he would not tolerate attempts at pressure and rejected all accusations leveled against him.
In recent days, while in custody, Ábalos has circulated serious allegations against the head of government through various channels, including with the help of his son. Responding to these accusations, Sánchez stressed that he will not allow anyone—either individuals or organizations—to dictate terms to him or issue threats. According to him, everyone has the right to defend themselves, but that does not give anyone the right to spread false information and rumors.
Personal relationships
During the interview, Sánchez was asked how he could have been unaware of Ábalos’ actions, given their many years of collaboration. The Prime Minister admitted that while he trusted Ábalos as a politician, he did not know him well on a personal level. He noted that he was surprised when he learned the details that led to the former minister’s arrest, and emphasized that he was not aware of his personal affairs.
Sánchez also spoke about his feelings when news broke of Ábalos’s arrest. He said that despite having worked closely together in the past, the personal aspects of his former ally’s life remained a mystery to him. This admission came in response to a journalist’s question about what he felt upon seeing his former chief aide in jail.
Response to comparisons
During the interview, a comparison was made to the situation when Sánchez demanded Mariano Rajoy’s resignation over the appointment of Luis Bárcenas. The journalist pointed out that, by Sánchez’s own logic, he himself should have resigned for appointing Ábalos. In response, the prime minister said that, unlike Rajoy, he took responsibility and did not support those accused, but instead removed them from their positions.
Sánchez emphasized that his actions were not an attempt to obstruct the investigation or hide information. He recalled that, in Rajoy’s case, a so-called ‘patriotic police’ was created to interfere with the investigation, whereas the current government operates transparently. According to Sánchez, the court ruling confirmed the illegal financing of the Partido Popular, but there are no such accusations against the Socialist Party (PSOE).
Political consequences
The scandal surrounding Ábalos’s arrest and the subsequent accusations sparked widespread reaction in Spanish society and political circles. Sánchez was forced not only to defend his reputation but also to explain why he was unaware of possible violations by his former ally. The Prime Minister maintains that his actions have been consistent and transparent, and that any attempts at pressure or blackmail will be ineffective.
In the interview, Sánchez once again emphasized that he would not allow the spread of false information and would not let anyone exploit the situation for political manipulation. He stated that the government will continue to work in the interests of the citizens, despite attempts by certain individuals to destabilize the situation.
