Spain's ruling party bans officials from paying for sex
The decision, announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, comes in response to a corruption scandal involving senior party officials and allegations of using public funds for illicit activities, including hiring sex workers.
Santos Cerdan, former organizational secretary of the PSOE and a close ally of Sanchez, was ordered into pre-trial detention without bail by the Spanish Supreme Court in June. He faces charges of bribery, criminal conspiracy, and influence peddling related to the alleged rigging of public contracts worth over €500 million ($585 million). Prosecutors allege that Cerdan played a central role in orchestrating the scheme, which purportedly involved distributing at least €5 million in kickbacks among senior officials, including former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and his aide Koldo Garcia.
Investigations have uncovered that the officials allegedly used public funds not only for illicit commissions but also for personal expenses, including the procurement of sexual services. Cerdan denies any wrongdoing, claiming he is the target of 'political revenge.'
In response, the PSOE announced a leadership shake-up and strict disciplinary rules. 'Soliciting, accepting, or obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money' will now be punished with 'the maximum sanction, expulsion from the party,' the party stated.
'If we believe a woman's body is not for sale, our party cannot allow behavior contrary to that,' Sanchez said during a meeting in Madrid on Saturday.
Despite mounting criticism and calls for his resignation, Sanchez has refused to step down. 'The captain doesn't look the other way when seas get rough. He stays to steer the ship through the storm,' he told party leaders.
Just hours before his scheduled speech, Sanchez faced fresh turmoil after a new scandal emerged involving one of his close allies. Francisco Salazar, who had been slated for a senior leadership role, resigned following allegations of inappropriate behavior by several women in the PSOE.
According to elDiario.es, anonymous female PSOE employees have accused Salazar of making obscene comments about their clothing and bodies, inviting them to dinner alone, and asking them to stay overnight at his home while they worked under him at the Moncloa Palace. The party confirmed no formal complaints had been filed but said it would launch an inquiry.
Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the People's Party accused the Socialists of acting like a 'mafia' and demanded elections. 'Spaniards deserve a government that doesn't lie to them, that doesn't rob them but serves them,' he said.
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