Pedro Snchez battles Zapatero scandal as government faces collapse
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces mounting pressure as the Zapatero scandal deepens, while his government braces for a prolonged political crisis.
The Spanish government acknowledges it is trapped in a "long calvary" over the corruption allegations surrounding former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, with officials admitting the administration has "five bullets in the stomach" and no clear exit strategy. Moncloa sources told *El Mundo* that "there is sufficient evidence" Zapatero "surrounded himself poorly," leaving Sánchez’s coalition vulnerable to sustained attacks from the opposition and internal dissent . The scandal has already triggered panic among PSOE mayors and regional leaders, who warn Sánchez risks "burning them all" if he delays elections until 2027, with calls growing for an early vote to avoid electoral punishment at the municipal and autonomous levels .
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has intensified the pressure, describing the government’s situation as "agonizing, suffocating, and stinking" and demanding coalition partners take a stance on the legislature’s future. Feijóo’s remarks come as the Civil Guard’s UCO unit investigates alleged irregularities linked to Zapatero, further complicating Sánchez’s efforts to stabilize his minority government . Meanwhile, radio host Carlos Alsina accused Sánchez of "not uttering a word" about Zapatero for a week, amplifying perceptions of a leadership vacuum .
Despite domestic turmoil, Sánchez has sought to project strength abroad. In Rome, he met with Italian Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein to forge a joint strategy against far-right forces ahead of the 2027 elections, avoiding direct engagement with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. Schlein criticized Meloni’s "attacks on the EU," while Sánchez emphasized shared progressive goals . Earlier, Sánchez addressed the FAO in Rome, backing Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas in his bid to lead the organization against Italian candidate Maurizio Martina .
The contrast between Sánchez’s international standing and his domestic struggles was underscored by *El Mundo*, which described him as "besieged at home, idolized abroad" . The Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) has moved to shield the Generalitat from the fallout, with leader Salvador Illa rallying behind Zapatero to prevent the crisis from contaminating PSOE’s stronghold in Catalonia . Meanwhile, Sánchez’s allies have launched a new pro-government TV channel, backed by three PSOE-affiliated businessmen and Argentine media mogul José Luis Manzano, set to begin broadcasting within six months .
With the Zapatero scandal showing no signs of abating, Sánchez’s government faces a critical juncture. The prime minister’s ability to navigate the crisis—while balancing internal dissent, opposition attacks, and electoral pressures—will determine whether his coalition survives until the next scheduled vote in May 2027.
Pedro Snchez battles Zapatero scandal as government faces collapse
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