Spanish police visited the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid on Wednesday as part of a widening High Court investigation into alleged attempts to interfere with judicial proceedings involving party and government figures.
The court said officers were seeking documents and electronic records linked to the investigation, which includes allegations ranging from bribery and influence peddling to falsifying documents, leaking secrets and involvement in a criminal organisation.
The investigation centres on former PSOE organisation secretary Santos Cerdán, along with several other party officials, lawyers, a businessman and a police officer. It marks the first time Cerdán has been formally named in the case, although he has previously denied wrongdoing in a separate investigation.
The development adds to mounting political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government has faced a series of corruption allegations involving close allies and members of his family in recent months.
Speaking in Rome after meeting Pope Leo, Sánchez sought to distinguish between a judicial request and a police raid.
“This is not a search,” he told reporters, stressing that the party was cooperating fully with investigators and had “absolute respect” for the judiciary.
According to the High Court, investigating judge Santiago Pedraz requested specific files and documents from PSOE headquarters in advance, rather than authorising an unannounced search operation.
Under Spanish law, a judicial request for information differs from an “entry and search,” which allows police to seize broader categories of evidence without prior notice.
Outside the party headquarters, the atmosphere remained calm, although the presence of police officers drew attention from passers-by and media crews gathered outside the building.
The case is the latest in a string of controversies to hit Spain’s Socialist-led coalition government. Just last week, the High Court said it was investigating former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero - a long-time Sánchez ally - over suspected influence peddling and money laundering allegations. Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing.
Sánchez on Wednesday reiterated his support for his predecessor and said that if any new evidence of improper conduct emerged within the party, it would be dealt with “with the same firmness as before.”
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