David Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, who is the brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will be going to trial in a case that has unsettled Spain’s political scene. Accused of supposed administrative wrongdoing and leveraging his influence, David Sánchez allegedly secured a custom government position within the Provincial Council of Badajoz, sidestepping open recruitment processes and breaching public employment regulations. This will mark the first instance in Spain’s democratic period where a current Prime Minister’s relative is on trial for public office corruption.
A Role Designed to Match
The court inquiry focuses on a position established in 2017 in the Badajoz provincial administration: Director of the Performing Arts Office. Legal files claim that the role was created specifically for David Sánchez, lacking a genuine institutional requirement, and tailored to suit his educational and career qualifications.
The hiring process was allegedly non-competitive and lacked transparency, with internal communications suggesting that the position was part of a broader political arrangement. The judge overseeing the case has noted that the role served “no real functional justification” and was “clearly created to accommodate a specific candidate.”
Political Strategy and Legal Protection
As pressure mounted earlier this year, David Sánchez resigned from the post, citing “media harassment.” Shortly afterward, the president of the Badajoz provincial council, a senior PSOE figure, was sworn in as a regional lawmaker in Extremadura, granting him legal immunity.
Judicial authorities have raised suspicions that this move was orchestrated to shield those involved from regular court proceedings. The judge has referred the case to the regional high court due to concerns over “potential abuse of parliamentary privilege to obstruct justice.”
An Obstacle for the Prime Minister
This case places additional strain on Pedro Sánchez, already under fire due to parallel investigations involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, and top members of the Socialist Party. Although the Prime Minister has not been formally linked to the case, critics argue that the repeated emergence of corruption allegations within his immediate circle points to a deeper crisis of accountability.
Demands are increasing for enhanced clarity and changes within institutions, as opposition figures are insisting on a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into the widespread practice of using public appointments as political rewards.
Not an Isolated Case
The case against David Sánchez has sparked a wider debate about nepotism and the politicization of public administration. Observers warn that this may not be an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of governance in which public institutions are used as tools for personal or political gain.
The fact that the case involves a regional post—far from the visibility of national politics—only adds to concerns about how deep such practices may run throughout the system.
The upcoming trial of David Sánchez marks a defining moment in Spain’s struggle to uphold ethical standards in public life. It will test not only the independence of the judiciary but also the resolve of the country’s political leadership to confront misconduct within its own ranks.
As public trust erodes and the credibility of the administration is increasingly called into question, the case raises a fundamental issue: can a government promise democratic regeneration while tolerating, or enabling, a culture of privilege behind closed doors?
