Pedro Sánchez is preparing for a critical session in Congress, moving from last year’s defensive stance to a direct attack on the opposition. Weakened by corruption scandals within his own party and poor regional election results, the Prime Minister plans to turn the spotlight on the Partido Popular and, in particular, Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
The shift follows a turbulent year for Sánchez. In 2025, the fallout from the ‘caso Cerdán’ put his leadership in jeopardy, forcing him to apologize publicly and announce anti-corruption reforms. Many of the promised changes remain stalled or under debate. Now, with the PSOE’s poll numbers falling further and former minister José Luis Ábalos recently convicted and sentenced to 24 years in prison, the government faces renewed pressure.
The latest controversy centers on Ayuso’s partner, Alberto González Amador. A recent UCO report says his earnings from Quirón, a major healthcare contractor for the Community of Madrid, surged to €4.4 million after his relationship with Ayuso began. The government argues that the matter is not private, linking the financial gains directly to Ayuso’s political influence. Under her leadership, Quirón has secured contracts worth up to €5 billion, sharpening scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest.
A separate judicial investigation into González Amador examines commercial dealings involving Quirón Prevención and possible business corruption and misappropriation in companies linked to him. It does not establish that Ayuso or the Community of Madrid committed an offence. In a filing described by Europa Press, prosecutors identified invoices to Quirón Prevención from two companies: Maxwell Cremona Ingeniería y Procesos S.L. and Masterman & Whitaker Medical Supplies S.L. The invoices total €4,436,495, including VAT, for 2021 to 2023. That figure comprises a taxable base of €3,666,525 and €769,970 in VAT. Investigators are examining the invoices to determine whether the services were genuine and to clarify the purpose and flow of the payments. The amounts alone do not establish that the payments were unlawful.
The inquiry also examines the December 2020 acquisition of Círculo de Belleza S.L. for about €500,000 and a possible link to an alleged payment involving a Quirón Prevención executive. González Amador says the acquisition reflected the value of the company’s distribution network. He has denied concealing Quirón-related income through an instrumental company. In April 2025, he appeared before investigating judge Inmaculada Iglesias and provided documentation of income he said came from Quirón Prevención.
On 20 October 2026, the Audiencia Provincial de Madrid ordered the Guardia Civil’s Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) to broaden its review, including comparisons of tax records with information held by the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social. The court had already authorized the collection of banking information dating from 1 January 2014. The ruling expands an evidence-gathering inquiry; it is not a final determination of liability. The Fiscalía Anticorrupción has also asked for tax inspections to be suspended while the criminal investigation proceeds. The inspections concern corporation tax for 2021 to 2023 and VAT from March 2021 through December 2023. Prosecutors argue that the tax proceedings could be affected by the facts under examination.
Sánchez’s team wants to draw a sharp contrast between how the PSOE handles corruption and the PP’s response. The Socialists have distanced themselves from Ábalos and Cerdán, as well as Koldo and Leire, while the PP has taken no public action regarding Ayuso’s partner. The Prime Minister is expected to stress the difference, arguing that his party removes those implicated in scandals while the opposition remains silent.
Sánchez’s own family situation complicates the debate. His wife, Begoña Gómez, faces judicial measures, including a possible passport withdrawal. The government presents this as evidence of political interference by the judiciary. Sánchez may use that argument to rally progressive MPs and bolster the narrative of institutional bias against the executive.
Government sources say Sánchez will also address coalition partners’ demands for substantive legislative progress. The recent approval of increased dependency spending, set to reach €7.2 billion annually by 2027, is presented as a basic achievement. The Prime Minister is expected to argue that such reforms justify continuing the legislature until at least March 2027, despite mounting challenges.
Justice Minister Félix Bolaños has publicly acknowledged the blow dealt by Ábalos’s conviction, stressing the government’s respect for judicial decisions in cases with full legal guarantees. He contrasted that position with concerns about the handling of the case against Begoña Gómez, suggesting irregularities in the judicial process.
As the session approaches, tensions between the PSOE and PP are set to escalate, with Vox also in the mix. The government plans to stress its willingness to confront corruption internally while pressing the opposition to address unresolved scandals within its own ranks. The debate could shape the political field as both parties face ongoing investigations and public scrutiny.
Spain has seen a series of high-profile corruption cases in recent years, affecting both major parties. Under Ayuso, the Community of Madrid has faced repeated questions over public procurement during the pandemic. Judicial independence and political influence in legal proceedings remain contentious, with several ongoing cases drawing national attention. The current standoff in Congress reflects broader concerns over transparency and accountability, alongside questions about government stability as the legislature enters its final stretch.
