National Court judge Santiago Pedraz will consider a request by Spain’s Popular Party to bring the PSOE into an ongoing case as a legal entity. ABC, citing legal sources, said he would decide after receiving an opinion from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and before the campaign begins on November 13.
The Popular Party, which is acting as a popular prosecutor in the case, wants the PSOE investigated for alleged bribery, embezzlement, influence-peddling, money laundering and illegal financing. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is expected to submit its position on the request. The judge has not ruled on whether to bring charges against the party.
The investigation concerns allegations that a network linked to former PSOE organisational secretary Santos Cerdán and former party member Leire Díez sought to obstruct judicial inquiries affecting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s inner circle. Those claims remain under investigation. The Popular Party’s request is not a finding of wrongdoing by the PSOE.
Pedraz has also asked the party for a list of lawyers and firms it hired from 2021 to 2025, along with documents on their contracts and work. ABC reported that investigators are examining whether payments to Díez were disguised as legal consulting fees. On Thursday, judge Beatriz Biedma, who previously investigated a case involving Sánchez’s brother, is due to testify as a victim in the inquiry into alleged efforts to pressure judges and prosecutors.