Madrid, July 6, 2025 – In a dramatic attempt to regain public trust amid mounting scandals, Spain’s ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has introduced a sweeping new ethics policy: party members who pay for sex will now face automatic expulsion.
Roots of the Crisis: Corruption & Abuse
The move comes at the center of a political maelstrom engulfing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government his most serious since taking office in 2018. It follows the arrest and remand of Santos Cerdán, the party’s former number‑three, on charges of receiving bribes tied to public-works contracts and allegedly using sex workers in exchange. The scandal arose after leaked audio tapes revealed Cerdán and other officials discussing illicit payments sourced from companies vying for contracts, and even making crude remarks about paying for sex.
Compounding the crisis, José Luis Ábalos, a former transport minister and close Sánchez ally, has also emerged as a suspect in the kickbacks probe.
A Bold New Rule: “The Party Stands for Dignity”
At a special PSOE federal committee meeting in Madrid on July 5, Prime Minister Sánchez still refusing to resign made the announcement: any member found “soliciting, accepting or obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money” will face immediate disciplinary action, up to expulsion.
He framed the rule as part of a core principle: “If we believe a woman’s body is not for sale, our party cannot allow behavior to the contrary.” Sánchez also declared, “the captain doesn’t abandon ship during storms,” underlining his determination to lead the party through what he described as its most difficult period in seven years.
More Fallout: Sexual Harassment Scandal
The policy shift was accompanied by significant turmoil: Francisco Salazar, a rising PSOE official poised for promotion, resigned hours before the federal meeting following allegations of sexual harassment by female staff, including unwelcome body comments, dinner invites, and attempts to have colleagues sleep at his home. He denies wrongdoing but stepped aside pending investigation.
Reorganization Measures
In the fallout, Sánchez tapped legal expert Rebeca Torro (44) as the new party secretary for organization, replacing Cerdán. He also announced reforms aimed at reducing centralized power and introducing anonymous whistleblower channels to promote internal accountability.
Opposition and Internal Strains
Spain’s main opposition, the conservative People’s Party (PP), seized the moment condemning PSOE as a “mafia” and demanding early elections. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo rallied large protest crowds, declaring his party “the only alternative” to the current government.
Even voices within the PSOE, such as Castilla‑La Mancha regional president Emiliano García‑Page, have urged Sánchez to call a confidence vote, acknowledging the severity of the crisis and expressing doubts about victory.
Beyond the Headlines: Systemic Corruption
Analysts stress that this scandal isn’t an isolated failure. A recent opinion piece describes it as part of a recurring pattern of institutional laxity in Spain opaque contract awards, weak enforcement of transparency rules, and politicized oversight bodies that foster a culture of impunity. Further investigations are already underway, with police seizing communications from PSOE’s headquarters and probing hundreds of bank accounts linked to ministries and state-run enterprises.
What Comes Next?
While Sánchez insists on remaining at the helm, pledging reform and promising to weather the storm, widespread doubts remain. With general elections not due until 2027, his leadership hinges on sustained public confidence and political unity and swift, tangible action toward transparency and accountability.
The PSOE’s ban on paying for sex is a signal that the party is attempting to redefine its ethical compass. But restoring voter trust will require more than words: it demands thorough internal reform, judicial clarity, and decisive consequences for wrongdoing.
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