PSOE Faces Intensified Scrutiny Over Corruption and Alleged Illegal Financing

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) is under significant political pressure amid accusations of corruption, cash payments to former leaders, and alleged illegal party financing. Key opposition figures and political spokespeople from Podemos, the People's Party (PP), Más Madrid, Compromís, and others have demanded transparency and accountability regarding discrepancies in party funds.

Ione Belarra, spokesperson for Podemos, sharply criticized PSOE, stating that the party must assume responsibility for the corrupt actions of its members. She highlighted concerns about cash payments and inconsistencies between declared donations and the party's actual financial accounts, insisting anyone involved should return misspent funds. Other left-wing figures like Tesh Sidi of Más Madrid and Águeda Micó of Compromís expressed skepticism about claims from businessman Víctor de Aldama, who alleged irregular financing of PSOE. They called for judicial involvement in clarifying the financing issues. Vox's Pepa Millán also only trusts official reports from the UCO (Central Operating Unit) investigating the party's finances and dismissed Aldama's statements as unreliable.

From the conservative People's Party, parliamentary spokesperson Ester Muñoz commented that while cash payments within legal limits are not prohibited, the issue arises from unaccounted sources and potentially illegal funding mechanisms, often referenced as a 'caja b'. Muñoz highlighted ongoing corruption investigations around cash payments made to ex-PSOE secretaries José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán. She also noted that after PSOE's Patxi López raised concerns about cash payments, the Senate moved to ban such transactions to senators, seemingly confirming the controversies raised.

Pedro Sánchez, PSOE's leader, has acknowledged cash payments to some party leaders, a fact which has fueled political debate and investigations. Multiple parties emphasize that any claims or allegations must be rigorously verified by judicial authorities, while the continuing reports from the UCO keep corruption allegations in the spotlight. This controversy has exacerbated concerns about enduring bipartisan corruption shadows in the current Spanish legislature, threatening PSOE’s political standing and demanding clarity for public trust.