Santos Cerdán, who previously served as the Organization Secretary in the PSOE, ended up in custody, becoming one of the most talked-about figures in Spanish politics. His arrest is linked not only to the Koldo case, but also to his active involvement in negotiations with Junts, which took place in Geneva. During the talks, Cerdán held nineteen meetings with representatives of the Catalan party; however, he was absent from the final rounds—by then, he was already in detention.
After Cerdán was no longer able to lead the negotiations, his role was taken over by former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. According to Zapatero, Cerdán’s arrest was one of the main reasons why Junts decided to end the dialogue with the Socialists and suspend the agreements previously reached. This move has become the most significant result of the rift between the two political forces.
Internal party divisions and corruption allegations
Within Junts, the figure of Cerdán is causing mixed reactions. The party’s left wing, known as MesCAT, recently emphasized in a statement that the main PSOE negotiator ended up in prison on corruption charges. They associate his arrest with his role in the Geneva talks, which adds further tension between the parties. It’s worth recalling that it was Cerdán, together with Jordi Turull, who signed the Brussels agreement that allowed Pedro Sánchez to remain prime minister. At the time, this document was called historic, and its signing was welcomed by Junts leaders.
Serdán is currently building his defense on the claim that he has become a victim of political persecution due to his contacts with Puigdemont in Brussels. In January 2025, when the government’s support in parliament came under threat, Junts put forward a vote of confidence, and an investigation was launched against two deputies without the required authorization. Serdán and his lawyers see this as pressure and an attempt to remove unwanted politicians.
Legal nuances and new accusations
Interestingly, Serdán’s defense is led by Benet Salellas, who previously represented the CUP in parliament. Meanwhile, supporters of Catalan independence tend to gloss over certain details, such as Serdán’s involvement with the construction firm Servinabar. Unlike him, José Luis Ábalos has so far avoided detention thanks to his parliamentary immunity.
Junts is actively promoting the narrative of politically motivated persecution (lawfare) against Serdán and other figures involved in the Koldo case. The breakdown of negotiations with the socialists and the arrest of the former organization secretary have become central elements of the current political crisis between the parties. The situation remains tense, and further developments could seriously impact the balance of power in the Spanish parliament.
