Political tensions are mounting in Spain following a series of high-profile corruption and sexual harassment cases that have become the center of attention in recent days. These incidents have seriously damaged the reputation of the ruling party and sparked a strong reaction among coalition partners. Minister of Culture and Sumar spokesperson Ernest Urtasun has openly called for immediate changes in the government. Meanwhile, Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) leader Aitor Esteban warned that if the Socialists fail to stem the tide of scandals, President Pedro Sánchez may be forced to call early elections.
Urtasun emphasized that the current cabinet cannot afford to remain inactive amid growing public dissatisfaction. At a meeting of the party’s national council, he noted that allegations of corruption and harassment involving PSOE representatives have already triggered heated debates within the government. According to him, both Sumar and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz are insisting on a significant reshuffle within the executive branch, yet President Sánchez has so far been unwilling to take such steps. The Minister of Culture believes that refusing to implement changes is a risky and premature move that could further deepen the crisis of confidence.
Pressure on the government
Urtasun expressed the view that ignoring the problem only strengthens opposition parties like the Partido Popular (PP) and VOX. He emphasized that inaction has now become the main ally of the opposition, and delaying a solution could jeopardize the remainder of the parliamentary term. According to him, society expects decisive action from the government, not attempts to sweep the issue under the rug.
At the same time, Aitor Esteban spoke at the PNV General Assembly in Vitoria, where the party approved changes to its charter aimed at speeding up internal elections. He noted that the situation in the country is becoming increasingly complicated: arrests, court cases, corruption charges, and instances of sexism are creating an atmosphere of fatigue and distrust. In Esteban’s opinion, if the string of scandals cannot be stopped, the government will have no choice but to call early elections.
A crisis of confidence
The PNV leader stressed that the current political season has been marked by ongoing scandals, the inability to pass a budget, and the lack of a stable parliamentary majority. He expressed doubts that the government can last until the end of its term in 2027. According to him, the situation is becoming increasingly unstable, and public discontent is growing with each new incident.
Pressure is mounting on President Sánchez within the coalition. Supporters of Sumar and PNV are demanding immediate and decisive action to restore public trust and stabilize the political situation. However, so far, the president has not shown a willingness to make major cabinet changes, which is causing frustration among coalition partners and fueling speculation about possible early elections.
Coalition prospects
With each new scandal sparking public uproar and the opposition gaining ground amid the government’s indecision, the coalition’s future remains uncertain. The question of cabinet reshuffles and potential elections is becoming increasingly pressing. Political players continue to insist on the need for change to prevent further erosion of public trust in the government.
