In response to a corruption scandal involving escort services and multimillion-euro public contracts, Spain’s ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) has prohibited its members from paying for sexual services, warning that violations may lead to expulsion from the party.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the decision amid allegations that senior party officials misused public funds for illicit activities, including hiring sex workers. Santos Cerdan, former PSOE organizational secretary and close ally of Sanchez, was placed in pre-trial detention without bail in June by the Spanish Supreme Court. He faces charges of bribery, criminal conspiracy, and influence peddling connected to rigging public contracts valued at over €500 million ($585 million). Prosecutors claim Cerdan orchestrated a scheme distributing at least €5 million in kickbacks among top officials, including former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and his aide Koldo Garcia.
Investigations also revealed that some officials allegedly used public money for personal expenses, including paying for sexual services. Cerdan denies the accusations, calling them politically motivated.
In light of the scandal, the PSOE has implemented leadership changes and tightened disciplinary policies. The party now states that “soliciting, accepting, or obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money” will incur “the maximum sanction, expulsion from the party.”
Speaking at a meeting in Madrid, Sanchez emphasized, “If we believe a woman’s body is not for sale, our party cannot allow behavior contrary to that.”
Despite growing criticism and calls for his resignation, Sanchez has stood firm, telling party members, “The captain doesn’t look the other way when seas get rough. He stays to steer the ship through the storm.”
Just before a scheduled speech, Sanchez faced renewed controversy after Francisco Salazar, an ally set for a senior role, resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior. Several female PSOE employees anonymously accused Salazar of making lewd comments about their appearance, inviting them to private dinners, and asking them to stay overnight at his residence while working under him at Moncloa Palace. While no formal complaints have been filed, the party announced it would investigate.
Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the People’s Party denounced the Socialists, likening their actions to those of a “mafia,” and called for elections. “Spaniards deserve a government that doesn’t lie to them, that doesn’t steal from them but serves them,” he stated.
