Tensions are rising in the upper house of the Spanish parliament as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to appear there in the coming weeks. His summons is connected to an ongoing investigation into a major corruption case centered around the flow of money within the ruling party.
Before Sánchez faces questions from senators, several key witnesses will testify at the commission’s hearings. As early as next week, businesswoman Carmen Pano is set to appear; she previously admitted in court to personally delivering a large amount of cash to the Socialist Party’s office on Ferraz street—referring to €90,000 hidden in garbage bags. A week later, former party finance managers during Sánchez’s tenure—Ana María Fuentes and Mariano Moreno—are scheduled to testify.
Timing adds further intrigue: on the same day Pano is to give her testimony, the Supreme Court has summoned former minister José Luis Ábalos and his former adviser Koldo García for questioning. All these developments are fueling anticipation for the prime minister’s upcoming visit, expected before the end of the month. While the exact date is still under discussion, one thing is clear—Sánchez will have to explain whether he was personally involved in receiving cash from party sources.
In recent days, tensions around the socialists have only intensified. Following the publication of a Guardia Civil report describing cash payments without any transparency, opposition representatives have increased pressure on Sánchez. According to them, this is not an isolated incident but an entire system of unreported income, which became particularly active after 2017 when Ábalos assumed a key position in the party. Within political circles, accusations are increasingly heard that the prime minister’s silence only heightens suspicion and undermines public trust in the authorities.
The opposition makes no secret of its intention to see the investigation through to the end. They insist that the current scandal is not simply a stand-alone case, but rather reflects deeper issues within the party and the government. Accusations are circulating about the creation of a whole network of influence, abuse of power, and illicit enrichment. Opponents are particularly focused on what they see as Sánchez’s personal responsibility for the situation, arguing that it was under his leadership that the system became most extensive and concealed.
New hearings are ahead, where not only government members but also Sánchez’s coalition allies will be named. Political insiders are already discussing how these developments could shift the balance of power in the country and determine the further fate of the prime minister. The coming weeks are expected to bring numerous high-profile statements and unexpected twists.
