The Badajoz court ruled that officials created a job for David Sánchez but found no evidence of outside pressure or influence. The verdict leaves key questions unanswered about who initiated the controversial hiring.
The Provincial Court of Badajoz has concluded that while a public position was tailored for David Sánchez, brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, there is no concrete evidence identifying who requested or orchestrated the creation of this role. The ruling, made public on Tuesday, confirms that Miguel Ángel Gallardo, former president of the Badajoz Provincial Council, and nine others committed prevarication by establishing a post specifically for Sánchez. However, the judges determined that the prosecution failed to prove any act of influence peddling or external pressure, resulting in acquittal on those charges.
The court's decision centers on three main episodes: the initial hiring of David Sánchez as coordinator of the Badajoz conservatories, the subsequent renaming of his position to director of the Office of Performing Arts, and the awarding of another post to his friend, Luis Carrero. Despite acknowledging irregularities in the creation and allocation of these roles, the judges stated that the evidence did not clarify whether the initiative came from Sánchez himself, his associates, or if the convicted officials acted independently.
According to the verdict, the job for David Sánchez was established in October 2016, shortly after Pedro Sánchez resigned as PSOE secretary general. The court noted that the timing could suggest an attempt to favor Sánchez due to his political connections, but stressed that no direct link or request was proven. The judges also highlighted that no specific individual was shown to have exerted pressure or used their position to influence the process, leaving the origin of the decision unresolved.
In 2022, David Sánchez's role was redefined from conservatory coordinator to head of the Office of Performing Arts. The investigating judge initially argued that this change catered to Sánchez's personal preferences. However, during the trial, Sánchez claimed he was unaware of the modification until after it occurred, and witnesses testified that the new title did not affect his salary or duties. The court ultimately found no evidence that the change resulted from pressure or influence by Sánchez or anyone connected to him.
The investigation also scrutinized the appointment of Luis Carrero, a career civil servant and friend of David Sánchez, who previously worked at the Moncloa Palace. Carrero was named head of a section in the Badajoz Provincial Council in December 2023. Email correspondence between Sánchez and Carrero was examined, but the court concluded that there was no proof of undue influence or pressure in the creation or awarding of Carrero's position.
This verdict follows a series of legal actions involving the hiring of David Sánchez. Notably, he was previously barred from holding public office for nine years, as detailed in a related case covered by RUSSPAIN (see the report on the court's earlier decision). The current ruling, however, underscores the persistent lack of clarity regarding who, if anyone, directed the controversial appointments.
The Badajoz case has drawn national attention due to its political implications and the involvement of high-profile figures. While the court confirmed administrative wrongdoing, the absence of evidence for influence peddling means that the broader questions about political favoritism and the mechanisms behind public sector appointments remain open. The case highlights the challenges Spanish courts face in distinguishing between administrative misconduct and criminal influence, especially when political connections are involved. The outcome may prompt further scrutiny of hiring practices within public institutions, particularly where family or personal relationships intersect with official decisions.
