Spanish anti-corruption investigators on Wednesday conducted a search of the headquarters of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Party in Madrid as part of an ongoing

inquiry into alleged illegal party financing, according to Spanish media reports.

Agents from the Civil Guard’s elite Central Operative Unit (UCO) were deployed to gather evidence linked to a wider investigation overseen by Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, with the operation reportedly authorized by the National Court.

The morning raid comes just a week after Spain’s National Court charged former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero—one of Sánchez’s prominent allies and a senior figure in the Socialist movement—with allegations including money laundering and influence peddling in connection with the 2021 bailout of the airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero has not publicly responded to the charges.

Spanish judicial authorities have not yet commented on Wednesday’s operation.

The developments add further pressure on Sánchez’s fragile minority government, which has faced increasing political strain following a series of corruption-related allegations involving figures linked to the ruling party.

Regional parties that helped secure Sánchez’s return to power in 2023—and whose parliamentary support remains crucial for passing legislation—have expressed growing concern about the political fallout. Some have warned that continued instability could undermine governance ahead of the next scheduled elections in 2027.

Aitor Esteban, leader of the Basque Nationalist Party, recently called for early elections, arguing that ongoing investigations and political uncertainty make it increasingly difficult for the government to function effectively. He said continued rule beyond 2026 without a stable budget or parliamentary majority would be “irresponsible.”

Meanwhile, Gabriel Rufián of the Republican Left of Catalonia has said his party’s support could hinge on whether evidence emerges of systemic corruption involving illegal party financing. He pointed to past support for a no-confidence motion that brought down former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy after a major corruption scandal, suggesting a similar response could be possible if comparable allegations were proven against the Socialists. Photo by Pool Moncloa, Wikimedia commons.