Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing an unprecedented legal crisis, with nine separate judicial cases converging on his Socialist Party (PSOE) and inner circle.
This week, Civil Guard officers spent 12 hours searching the PSOE's Madrid headquarters in the Leire Díez case. Judge Santiago Pedraz is investigating alleged payments of 178,000 euros by the party to a network designed to obstruct judicial probes into Sánchez's close associates.
Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been named a suspect in the Plus Ultra case, facing charges of criminal organization and influence peddling. His bank accounts have been frozen.
The trial of Sánchez's brother, David Sánchez, began Thursday in Badajoz over allegations his government job was created for him. And in April, Judge Juan Carlos Peinado indicted Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, on charges of influence peddling and corruption.
These cases come atop the sprawling Koldo case, centered on irregular mask purchases during the pandemic. Separate branches investigate illegal party financing and contract rigging at the Transport Ministry.
Sánchez has requested to address Congress on the political situation, while the opposition PP considers a no-confidence motion. Legal experts warn the investigations could take three to five years.