A court in Badajoz has convicted David Sánchez, the brother of Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of administrative misconduct, banning him from holding public office for nine years. The ruling stems from his hiring in July 2017 by a socialist-led council in Extremadura, when his brother was head of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) but not yet prime minister. David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor, was cleared of the more serious charge of influence peddling, which could have carried a three-year prison sentence.
Case Background and Verdict
The case originated from a complaint by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a union with far-right links that frequently uses Spain's courts against perceived threats to democracy. The complaint alleged that David Sánchez was given a bespoke role as coordinator of public music schools by the Badajoz provincial council. The court found that the job creation was not necessary or urgent and was tailored to the assignee's interests rather than the public good. However, it found no evidence of pressure or influence from Pedro Sánchez or others.
Nine co-defendants received identical nine-year bans, while Miguel Ángel Gallardo, former PSOE leader in Extremadura, was banned for 18 years for two misconduct counts. All verdicts can be appealed.
Political Fallout and Broader Allegations
The conviction is one of several corruption cases involving the prime minister's family and government, fueling opposition calls for a snap election. Pedro Sánchez has denounced a 'harassment and bullying operation' against his family. His wife, Begoña Gómez, faces trial for embezzlement, influence peddling, and other charges related to her university post. The PM insists both are innocent and victims of political smear campaigns.
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the People's Party (PP) noted this as the third conviction of a Sánchez associate. In November, Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz was banned for two years for leaking confidential tax information. In June, former transport minister José Luis Ábalos received a 24-year sentence for bribery during the Covid pandemic. Feijóo stated, 'It speaks well of our rule of law that no one is above the law.'
Vox leader Santiago Abascal called the PSOE a 'mafia'. Transport Minister Óscar Puente countered that opponents are using courts to achieve what they cannot at the ballot box. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz expressed trust that higher courts will establish David Sánchez's innocence.
