The Spanish government has found itself at the center of two major scandals—one involving corruption and another related to sexual harassment allegations. Amid these developments, coalition partners are ramping up pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, demanding decisive action to stabilize the situation. Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, representing the Sumar party, has, for the first time, openly called for a thorough Cabinet overhaul, stressing that it is impossible to carry on under the current circumstances.
Pedro Sánchez, for his part, has taken a wait-and-see approach. He has indicated to his allies that he has no intention of making radical changes or calling early elections. According to him, the only change that may happen in the near future is a targeted replacement of Education Minister Pilar Alegría, who is preparing to participate in regional elections in Aragón. All other measures, according to the head of government, will affect only those directly involved in corruption or other scandals—they will be immediately suspended from party activities.
Internal tensions
Within the Socialist Party (PSOE) itself, tensions are rising by the day. Scandals related to harassment are causing concern and divisions among various factions. Party leadership is trying to focus on fulfilling its commitments: increasing pensions, raising the minimum wage, and boosting public sector salaries. However, these achievements are being overshadowed by ongoing exposés and fresh allegations.
In recent days, a series of police and judicial actions targeting corruption cases has made headlines: raids on ministries, arrests, and the release of new investigative reports. At the same time, PSOE is dealing with internal ‘MeToo’-style scandals, with new allegations surfacing against party officials in various regions. The resignation of the head of the Equality Department in Galicia dealt another blow to the party’s image, and the leadership’s response to these events has sparked dissatisfaction among some activists.
The partners’ demands
Sumar, a party in the ruling coalition, is calling for a political reset. On a recent television appearance, Yolanda Díaz stated that cosmetic reforms are no longer effective, and it is time for deep changes in the government lineup. Her comments irritated the Socialists, but they avoided open confrontation with their allies, choosing instead to try to deescalate the debate.
Díaz emphasizes that this is not about personal grievances, but about the need to find a way out of the current crisis. In her view, the cabinet should focus on advancing social initiatives: raising the minimum wage, introducing universal child benefits, and extending rental agreements signed during the pandemic to protect tenants from sharp price increases.
Rifts in the coalition
Tensions are growing within the coalition over key issues. This week, the ministries of finance and economy, led by María Jesús Montero and Carlos Cuerpo, clashed with the labor ministry over the methodology for calculating the minimum wage. Sumar has long been pushing for government intervention in the rental housing market, considering it one of the main problems facing Spaniards.
Sources within the left-wing camp note that the current crisis is especially damaging because it has broken out within the government itself. They emphasize that while no one is demanding public resignations, the situation requires immediate action.
Government response
The government believes that a major restructuring is not advisable at this time, since the latest scandals do not involve current ministers. Those implicated in the investigations have already been dismissed. Sumar had pushed for a radical change of course last summer after Santos Cerdán was arrested, which led to the adoption of several social measures. However, an attempt to set up an anti-corruption bureau in parliament failed.
Supporters of Díaz are now convinced that without meaningful changes, the situation will only worsen, potentially leading to the collapse of the entire coalition. They stress that this is not about survival for its own sake, but about restoring voter trust.
Political climate
Amid the scandals, the government’s achievements have gone largely unnoticed. This week, Parliament passed three decrees, a consumer rights protection law, and a reform of the dependency care system. However, these decisions failed to make headlines due to new arrests and accusations against PSOE members. Sumar recalls the case of Errejón, who resigned before any formal charges, causing serious harm to the left-wing political space.
Yolanda Díaz insists that if the government fails to explain its actions and take responsibility, the crisis will only deepen. She believes the Prime Minister himself should address the press and answer all journalists’ questions.
Despite Díaz’s hardline stance, Sumar is not currently considering leaving the government. They believe that remaining inside is the only way to continue advancing crucial reforms and maintain influence over the political agenda.
